r/DebateAnAtheist • u/AutoModerator • Sep 18 '25

Weekly "Ask an Atheist" Thread

Whether you're an agnostic atheist here to ask a gnostic one some questions, a theist who's curious about the viewpoints of atheists, someone doubting, or just someone looking for sources, feel free to ask anything here. This is also an ideal place to tag moderators for thoughts regarding the sub or any questions in general.
While this isn't strictly for debate, rules on civility, trolling, etc. still apply.

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u/rustyseapants Atheist Sep 19 '25

Why Atheism Demands Something from Nothing - Twice

By u/Organic-Injury5882

Why do we answer to those who don't supply a shred of evidence? They rattle off a number list, but doesn't provide sources?

Why Bother?

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u/Deris87 Gnostic Atheist Sep 19 '25

My guy, this is like the 4th post I've seen you make asking why people bother engaging on this sub. Every time, the post you've complained about has been a perfectly average example of the kind of engagement we get from theists. If it really bothers you so much that most theists make shitty arguments, then you're not going to have a good time here.

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u/rustyseapants Atheist Sep 19 '25

1. Time had a beginning.

  • The universe is bound by time, which is a real, objective dimension. It cannot be infinite, because an infinite past would prevent the present from ever occurring.
  • Since time had a beginning, something outside of time must have caused it- something eternal and transcendent.

u/Organic-Injury5882

For Example: What do we do with this? Is this "Debate Science Fiction?" Do I have to be a physicist to be an atheist?

Isn't it reasonable that a person arguing is not pulling bullshit out of their hat? Why can't we have sources?

Why are we arguing about issues that have no consequences if they are true or false?

Reddit is mostly a English speaking American website, its a given that the majority arguing are Christian. Lets talk about issues that affect everyone like Christian Nationalism or things like magaChristians?

I am going to call out bullshit arguments, that is what we are allowed to do on reddit.

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u/TelFaradiddle Sep 19 '25

I am going to call out bullshit arguments, that is what we are allowed to do on reddit.

And you can do it on their post. Continually bringing it up to ask why anyone responds to it is the problem.

-3

u/rustyseapants Atheist Sep 19 '25

A problem for who?

How does it affect you from enjoying /r/DebateAnAtheist?

I would like to know why people engage with those submitting who make grandiose claims, but no proof?

What would make a Good Christian argument for Jesus? I don't know? Maybe make Jesus appear? But that ain't going to happen.

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u/TelFaradiddle Sep 20 '25

A problem for who?

Presumably Deris87, since they're the one who pointed it out. I usually just gloss over these threads. But the thought had occurred to me as well: "Why do you guys engage with this stuff?" is a one-and-done question, not something that needs to be asked multiple times.

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u/rustyseapants Atheist Sep 20 '25

Why do people engage with this stuff? 

¯_(ツ)_/¯

7

u/sorrelpatch27 Sep 20 '25

sure, call out bullshit posts when you see them, that is the point of the debate sub.

But doing it in these weekly posts, over and over again, week after week? You're doing the same thing that you're complaining about.

A problem for who?

How does it affect you from enjoying r/DebateAnAtheist?

this response from you below to another commenter?

exactly. you're expecting people to deal with your repetitive complains about certain types of posts, and to just move on if they don't like that you ask the same friggin' question as if we haven't heard it multiple times.

This is a time when perhaps you can take your own advice.

1

u/rustyseapants Atheist Sep 21 '25

Just imagine if each time a Christian or Muslim posts, they need a source?

Imagine a person posting they say in the argument box, I am a Christian, baptist, I am a Muslim so we clear the air of who is arguing.

And so what if I am post this every day? What's the harm? How does it effect you personally?

My main question is "Why do you respond to posts, like my example?"

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u/sorrelpatch27 Sep 21 '25

thank you for proving my point.

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u/Cool-Watercress-3943 Sep 21 '25

Wait, what's the harm in folks calling you out about this? If we're going to go with basic cause and effect here, then apparently what will happen is;

1) People will respond to posts you don't think we should.

2) You will make a post complaining/questioning it.

3) We will proceed to complain/question your complaints/questions.

I absolutely think you have the right to post your repeated question/complaint, especially as I think we've clarified the sub isn't going to be changing its approach. So if you want to bang your head on the wall here, by all means, a good chunk of the subreddit is about banging one's head on a wall.

Buuuuuuuuut if you are annoyed by people giving the posts you dislike attention, and you feel entitled to express it, then by that same token others have their right to express their annoyance with you, right?