If you don't believe in religion, I think your time and energy can be better spent in more substantial debates.
You are entitled to you opinion. Others may disagree.
Why would you want to talk someone out of their religion, unless they were in a dangerous cult?
This is an open debate forum. Members are not required to present their claims and beliefs.
However, if a member makes claims or statements, others have equal right to challenge them – to ask for evidence that they are true and accurate – to ask upon what information they are based – to ask who is responsible for the truth and accuracy of the claim / statement – to ask for reason why they should be believed – to present contradicting evidence or evidence of error.
If the maker of claims / statements is unable to substantiate what they say and satisfactorily answer challenges, others have the right to refuse to accept or to outright reject those claims / statements. Not everyone chooses to challenge statements or to question information provided. Children, the naïve, the gullible and the meek are prone to accept / believe what they are told, particularly by “authority figures”.
In honorable debate, participants are required to substantiate their claims and statements or to withdraw / retract them. Doing so does not imply that the person no longer believes they are true, but simply acknowledges that they have said something that they cannot substantiate – realizing that it is not admissible in debate wherein unsupported claims / statements are nothing more than opinion and cannot ethically be presented as truth or evidence.
Many fail to distinguish between what they believe and what is factual or supportable information. Challenges “keep them honest” (even though “ducking the issue” is relatively common – perhaps thinking that the tactic is unnoticed by readers).
In my experience, many who attempt (in debate or in person) to promote or defend religion are very prone to make unsupportable claims and statements – and to refuse to withdraw them when challenged or asked for evidence (and often become indignant, irate or downright hostile). They may think that obstinate refusal to “back down” from unsupportable claims is a tribute to their “faith” or their dedication to “god”; however, those who observe such action can rightfully conclude that doing so is an indication of an indefensible position based upon emotion and indoctrination rather than reason.
Yes the Bible contradicts itself, yes religious doctrine can be absurd, yes religion has had a history of suppressing creative ideas and advances in science and knowledge. But modern day religious people, for the most part, are simply taking comfort in the thought of a purpose and reason for life. They feel less alone in a community of like-minded people. What does it matter if they don't even understand their own beliefs?
Because beliefs inform our actions. Bad beliefs often result in bad actions.
Why can't everyone just have their own beliefs? - Iron Chariots Wiki
Everyone does have their own beliefs, but all beliefs are not equally valid nor do they equally reflect reality. An incorrect belief may occasionally be harmless, but it can also directly result in negative consequences (unnecessary guilt, bigotry, racism, oppression, strife, silencing of dissent, the death of the innocent, etc.)
Beliefs direct and guide our actions, and incorrect beliefs can lead to actions that increase harm, both for the individuals holding a particular belief and those around them. A perfect example of this is the preventable deaths of children at the hands of those who wait for a god to heal instead of taking their children to a doctor. If someone dies because their faith kept them from seeking medical treatment, it is tragic. It is far more so when an innocent child is lost due to their parent’s ignorance and their reliance on a belief that is not supported by logic, evidence or reason.
Another example of beliefs harming others is the oppression and hatred directed at homosexuals, atheists and others.
Teaching a child that they are a sinner, a worm that deserves eternal damnation, can do incredible harm to a child and can lead to unhealthy levels of guilt and repression. The belief that condoms are evil has helped increase the levels of STD’s and unwanted pregnancy all across the world. This is directly evidenced by the prevalence of HIV in Africa.
A belief or opinion that is based on lies, falsehoods or misunderstandings will have consequences. It is better that our beliefs and opinions reflect the world around us, and it is often necessary to change our beliefs as new evidence becomes available.
Now lets pause for a moment and let me concede that religion is not fully "evil". There are parts of religion that have been positive and contributed to the betterment of the world. Furthermore, for the most part, the average religious person does not commit atrocities or perform extremists activities.
Keep the good parts of religions: charity, community, social supports structures.
Get rid of the bad: faith, blasphemy, misogyny, homophobia.
I've told Christians that Christs real name, in English, would have been Joshua, from the Hebrew name Yeshua. I've told Christians that the word "Christ" was derived from a Hebrew religious ritual involving oil called "Chrism" to spiritually purify people or objects, mostly conducted by High Priests. I've told Christians that Christ did not fulfill all of the Messianic prophecies, not even half of them. But in the end, it doesn't matter. Most Christians don't know important details about their religion, but they still find comfort and fulfillment in the basic message of neighborly love and non-violence. You could say the same about any religion.
Buddha was an Indian prince, not some fat Chinese guy. Muhammad was illiterate and married a Jew. Moses killed a slave driver in his youth. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Despite the fact I believe some religious people do in fact believe in an enlightened form of Christianity compared to fundamentalists, i still find their claims to knowledge regarding the supernatural and divine both unwarranted and superfluous to what the evidence, reason, and reality dictate. They still are making decisions and choices based on poor or unwarranted beliefs.