Why do Christians get evasive, defensive or angry when faced with difficult questions

[bhsmte]

yep i i'm a William lane craig fan

Q & A with William lane craig (reasonablefaith.org/question-answer)

William lane craig Debates (reasonablefaith.org/debate-transcripts)

I am quite familiar with him and have watched many of his debates.

He is a terrific debater, his arguments just don't hold up to scrutiny. He also only chooses certain debates, where he can make the ground rules. One of his best tactics, is to misrepresent his opponents position, so they have to spend time correcting this misconception, as opposed to presenting their own case.

This is excerpt from his debate with Sam Harris at Notre Dame, in which IMO, Harris destroyed him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HthQ6a7FZeA

 

[Hammster]

MOD HAT ON



I see that some of the discussions are starting to become General Apologetic discussions. These are not allowed.


MOD HAT OFF

 

[Cearbhall]

I notice that when I ask some of the difficult questions, Christians tend to get evasive, defensive or angry. Why is this?

Not all do. Just the ones who haven't developed a deep faith life by actually thinking through what they believe.

 

[Albion]

Not all do. Just the ones who haven't developed a deep faith life by actually thinking through what they believe.

I'd agree. There is the "my church is the only real one; too bad about yours" crowd and they seem to be determined to argue about anything, with or without any facts. But the average Christian here, or Christians in general, seem to have been more than willing to answer just about any sincere question posed without obvious animosity towards the faith.

Of course, it it's posed this way:

My point is the actions of most religious people suggest that they don't truly believe what they claim to believe

The questioner has already stated that he will accept only the answer that agrees with his distaste for "most religious people."

 

[FireDragon76]

Here's is your problem, you believe your own sincerity act, but then get incensed when someone calls you out for it. You are "decidedly atheist" yet play the part of "just a guy who wants to understand." I think a lot of atheist who come to Christian forums (or who lost their faith after joining) are motivated to undermine faith not understand it.

Yup. I think in the end it's OK though, they are just working through their psychological issues, like anger at organized religion. Not the most productive use of time but then again maybe some people can't afford therapy.

 

[bhsmte]

Yup. I think in the end it's OK though, they are just working through their psychological issues, like anger at organized religion. Not the most productive use of time but then again maybe some people can't afford therapy.

Do you possess mind reading skills?

 

[FireDragon76]

Do you possess mind reading skills?

Why else post to a Christian forum? It can't possibly be curiosity, atheists seem to "know" more than Christians do about our beliefs.

 

[ToddNotTodd]

Do you possess mind reading skills?

"Numchuck skills... bowhunting skills... computer hacking skills... Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!"

I guess we should add mind reading skills...

 

[Cearbhall]

Yup. I think in the end it's OK though, they are just working through their psychological issues, like anger at organized religion. Not the most productive use of time but then again maybe some people can't afford therapy.

...what? Do you honestly not understand why someone might wish to speak with people who have opposing viewpoints? My thirst for knowledge and the fact that I value multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue are not psychological issues, thanks.

There are certainly people on here who are less than constructive, but not everyone who is different from you is out to get you.

Why else post to a Christian forum? It can't possibly be curiosity, atheists seem to "know" more than Christians do about our beliefs.

This is one of the most anti-intellectual questions I've ever seen. Seeking knowledge is good.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

You're probably right. I guess I should have emphasized "to the satisfaction of the questioner". I've seen way too many "conversations" disintegrate because no matter what someone says, the other person isn't satisfied. Philosophically speaking, why should someone have to justify their position to anyone?

You don't have to. Just don't pretend that the other person is somehow intellectually obligated to share your position.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Why else post to a Christian forum? It can't possibly be curiosity, atheists seem to "know" more than Christians do about our beliefs.

I've already answered this question on multiple occasions, so you are without excuse if you don't already know why.

 

[WoundedDeep]

Some honestly do not know much about their own faith, and its normal reaction to get defensive when their weak faith is challenged beyond their ability to rationalise it.

But this is rarely just observed in Christians, I have challenged people of other faiths before, and have seen how angry and defensive they can get about their faith. From what I observed, Christians react in a much less aggressive way compared to what others may react when their faith is challenged.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Some honestly do not know much about their own faith, and its normal reaction to get defensive when their weak faith is challenged beyond their ability to rationalise it.

But this is rarely just observed in Christians, I have challenged people of other faiths before, and have seen how angry and defensive they can get about their faith. From what I observed, Christians react in a much less aggressive way compared to what others may react when their faith is challenged.

That's not what I've observed, based on my interactions here, but then again this is a Christian forum, so the sample is biased.

 

[WoundedDeep]

That's not what I've observed, based on my interactions here, but then again this is a Christian forum, so the sample is biased.

Heh. I have had death threats breathed out against me when I challenged other people's faith and they had no answer to rationalise theirs. I doubt you had such experiences in Christian forums.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Heh. I have had death threats breathed out against me when I challenged other people's faith and they had no answer to rationalise theirs. I doubt you had such experiences in Christian forums.

That's horrible. No, I'm fortunate to not have received any death threats as yet, but perhaps that's because the tone of the conversation on CF is mostly civil. I have been called "simply evil" though.

 

[Jesse2014]

That's a good question.

I am a Christian. And I have participated in debates with atheists about God and evidences and I have been schooled. But it still doesn't change my beliefs. I will always admit defeat. So I don't understand what the problem is myself.

 

[Aldebaran]

You don't have to. Just don't pretend that the other person is somehow intellectually obligated to share your position.

That goes both ways. I've noticed that when I'm asked questions, no answer given is ever good enough. What that tells me is that the questioner has their mind made up to argue with anything given as an answer until they get the answer they want. That's not asking with sincerity. That's just trying to start an argument.

 

[WoundedDeep]

That goes both ways. I've noticed that when I'm asked questions, no answer given is ever good enough. What that tells me is that the questioner has their mind made up to argue with anything given as an answer until they get the answer they want. That's not asking with sincerity. That's just trying to start an argument.

Exactly what I get from some of those who question our faith here.

 

[WoundedDeep]

That's horrible. No, I'm fortunate to not have received any death threats as yet, but perhaps that's because the tone of the conversation on CF is mostly civil. I have been called "simply evil" though.

Try questioning the Muslims about their faith the same way you question God on here and see for yourself how militant they become within a few posts. I can almost guarantee you will get censored and permanently banned from their forums on top of verbal death threats within a day.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

That goes both ways. I've noticed that when I'm asked questions, no answer given is ever good enough. What that tells me is that the questioner has their mind made up to argue with anything given as an answer until they get the answer they want. That's not asking with sincerity. That's just trying to start an argument.

That's certainly a possibility. But is it also possible that the answers given aren't good enough?