How does one debate G‑d's existence with an atheist?
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Debate often rages within my own mind. The atheistic side of my brain which can't make sense out of G-d versus the religious side of my brain which can't make sense of No G-d. Relative inner peace comes when "He who makes peace in the heavens" commands me to love Him regardless of whether or not He / She / It "exists." It's like I once told a Jewish atheist, "Love the Metaphor, my friend, because the Metaphor loves you."
I heard one atheist say that religious people project an anthropomorphism onto the universe to make it feel more warm, welcoming, and friendly, and less cold, lonely, empty, and scary. My response: "Guilty as charged!" It's like the rabbi points out in this short, sweet, brilliant article. Whether the Universe cares on the one hand, or is indifferent on the other is more a matter of philosophical outlook than objective fact. There's plenty of evidence to support either point of view. People of conscience care regardless of theological belief or lack thereof.
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Doesn't exist, that does not make you an atheist. It makes you an agnostic. The dyed in the wool atheists I have met are vehemently filled with hatred against the idea of a god at all no matter how the word is defined. In fact, they PREACH their atheism as a religion in and of itself. That is only the sampling of people I have met. Others, I would imagine, who disbelief in G-d just keep that thought to themselves and don't feel the need to debate. How would I know, since they don't mention the word or name of G-d to me? Anyway, I wouldn't name call them for their disbelief any more than I would want them to name call me for believing. With me, I see a very different G-d than many ultra religious people see. I would imagine they would call me an atheist, according to my definition of who and what is G-d. I don't attribute to G-d ANY human emotion or motive, and don't attribute to G-d any negative occurrences. I disbelieve scripture, but believe in Go-d.
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My first thought, before reading Rabbi Tzvi's answer, was WHY would anyone want to debate this? However, I once dated an atheist who was a "die hard" unbeliever and who practically talked about atheism as if it were a religion in itself. So, when we talked, if the subject came up (which HE CHOSE to bring up to push my buttons), I just used the word "love" instead of G-d. He said you can't prove the existence of G-d, and I would reply, "you can't prove the existence of love". He said G-d didn't do this and that, and I said, "So? You can prove he didn't?" Another statement that stops them is, "Oh, you were there?" and "Science never learns new facts?" and another is, "Look in the mirror. Smile. You'll see the G-d within you". Here is another, "So, how do you have any positive feeling, thought or attitude when disaster strikes? That's called "faith"." Can you have faith and hope and courage without having G-d within you? That IS G-d. You don't have to acknowledge Him to HAVE him.
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Some brilliant rabbi (was it Mordecai Kaplan? I can't remember.) once stuck up for atheists by pointing out that atheists are not really rejecting G-d; they are actually rejecting the anthropomorphic conceptialization of G-d, which after all is idolatrous. So, he reasoned, that if you think about it, atheists are actually doing the world a favor by ridding the world of idolatry! I love that sort of mind-blowing, paradoxical philosophy. Since G-d is an abstract concept -- indeed, the Ultimate Abstract Concept, how can one prove that G-d "exists" per se? Nontheless, as far as I am concerned, G-d is Real, G-d is Important, and G-d is Real Important.
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With respect, I feel Rabbi Freeman's answer is correct. I am an "athiest"; G-d existing or not existing is functionally irrelevant to me. The universe IS cold and indifferent for me, Earth is a big, spinning thing orbiting a star. I have no idea why I exist, why things happen, they just do. BUT -far from this making me a psychopath, it brings me closer to my fellow humans, it makes me strive to do the best for my planet and the organisms that inhabit it, I feel empathy for other creatures' pain -I take responsibility for my actions, and endeavour to create harmony, and order -because I don't believe some "G-d" will do it for me -we are all we've got... Judaism is a philosophy and a way of living that I respect, and I find the rituals and rules to be comforting. When I die I assume the lights go out -if I find myself awake and before G-d, I hope I have lived in a sufficiently righteous manner to earn me a few points! And being harrassed by Christian prosletysers just makes me mad..
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Just my thought on belief. If there is a reason to believe, its not belief. Its a calculated conclusion to a question. once a person believes, then he can bring proofs or arguements to support his belief. I feel one cannot make someone else believe, only show him how to support his belief more strongly. in conclusion, g-d's exsistance is primarily belief, however, supported by other factor's. these other factor's (or proofs) can only enhance a previous belief. only a personal opinion...
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Chabad was not created to convert an atheist be they jewish or otherwise, Jews in genral are not allowed to seek converts. I find it strange to read the reactions to the Rabbi's statement. The Lubavitcher Rebbe who attended University in Europe and recived degrees, going on to lead the Chabad Lubavitch Movement, never felt the need to "push" people to accept his faith. Being a Jew is about accepting G-d and and being one with the jewish people, Chabad is about reaching out to thoses people who want to do just that. Not senseless arguement and debate, I strongly advise people to read the Rebbe's words, on such subjects. Also another great resource of understanding is "Defiance and Devotion by Rabbi Yosef. Y Schneersohn of Lubavitch OMB (The previous Rebbe).
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"The atheist believes that the universe is cold and indifferent?"
That's quite an accusation. How could you assume you know how every atheist feels about his/her world? Perhaps she feels that the warmth and caring in the world comes from human efforts?
If I may suggest my own answer (and maybe this is what you wanted to say):
When speaking about something as deeply personal as belief in G-d, perhaps debate is not an appropriate way to aproach the subject. Debating atheISM is one thing, but trying to convince an atheIST to believe what you believe is a rather disrespectful and ultimately purposeless persuit. If you truely wish to spread your concept of G-d in the world, do so by uncovering the G-dly ideas and qualities that already exist in the world around you. In so doing, you may just make G-d more apparent to those who haven't percieved that before.
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And so you a believer know what an Atheist thinks, which is the Universe is "cold and indifferent". Is that through every Atheist you ever met stating such, or your interpretation of those who reject your snug sooky blanket/arrogance?
Blind belief is an illness, reason to believe is healthy. You give no reason for any other to read your response as blind belief.
Communicate...That is what reveals what was, what is, what shall be(maybe-who knows?).
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Rav Yehuda Leiv Ashlag writes in Matan Torah (Gift of the Bible) that the only thing which cannot be proven logically or through experiment is the existence of the Creator. This is the sole 'leap of faith.'
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