The best way is to bait them into innocently replying, then use the opening to redirect. Playing dumb but on their side is also fun. Some ideas to work with:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckethead22
So, a friend on Facebook posted the following status today...
Chance of winning Powerball....1 in almost 300 million. Chance that we were created by accident....one in 10 to the 40,000 power. I like those odds
.
#gottabelieve.
So about the same odds of you getting with Lisa? [girl they like]
So you're saying we live in a simulation?
My pastor said the chances were zero. I'm confused. Was he lying?
I think God has more than a 40,000 power level. Show some respect.
Looks like you've solved theology Matt.
Millennia of religious debate ended with a Facebook post. Congrats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tame_deuces
The problem is that it is a simple argument, and one that affirms a belief. Like a political motto, it is not meant to convince anyone, it is meant to re-assure them.
Good replies to such statements usually lie somewhere between rhetoric and thoughtful argument. They can't be of similar vein, as you'll just polarize the debate - and they can't be too long as they will be ignored and merely answered with similar simple statements. Also, the reply should contain a question - so it can't be as easily ignored or handwaved, to force your opponent to consider what you are saying (the unstated challenge being that "if you don't answer this, you don't really have answer"). Short statements with questions are tough to ignore.
This is very impressive deconstruction.