Playing "God's Advocate"

[MineralMan]

We hear the phrase "playing the Devil's advocate" a lot. It means someone arguing the negative side to make a point. Generally, it doesn't mean that the person playing that role is, him or herself, evil. It's just a rhetorical method.

I find it odd that the opposite term, "playing God's advocate" isn't also in use in religious discussions. That rhetorical equivalent is in common use wherever religion is discussed. People commonly set religion up to be a universally good thing for societies and cultures and argue for religion as a remedy for the flaws and negative characteristics of people.

However, we don't refer to that, even though we use the other phrase fairly often. I notice people "playing God's advocate" frequently here in DU's Religion Group. We just don't mention that rhetorical device.

[Corvo Bianco]

1. The "devil" advocates knowledge, which is a good premise

For furthering discussion. God advocates blind faith in unhinged fantasy. God is a discussion killer, as I'm sure you've noticed!

[guillaumeb]

2. Straw man fallacy in evidence.

However, it is your right to build these arguments, no matter how much straw is misused.

[edhopper]

3. How so

people don't point to religion (and by definition, God) to be a force for good?

[guillaumeb]

5. He claimed:

That rhetorical equivalent is in common use wherever religion is discussed. People commonly set religion up to be a universally good thing for societies and cultures and argue for religion as a remedy for the flaws and negative characteristics of people.

And that position is a claim with no evidence. If he said some people, or something to indicate that this is not a universal claim, there would be less straw in evidence, but like many claims here, it simplifies to make a point about a very complex issue.

[edhopper]

10. I see what you are saying

But I interpret it as him saying some people defend religion as universally good. Not that universally people who defend religion all say it is only a positive.
Not a universal claim but a claim some make about how religion is universally good.

[guillaumeb]

11. Religion is something that people use to explain their actions.

And we both know how that goes.

[edhopper]

15. Yes

would you say those people are God's Advocate?

[guillaumeb]

16. I would say that they are advocating for themselves. eom

[MineralMan]

7. Well, I've certainly seen people do that here.

So, perhaps it's not really a straw man argument? Hmm...

Par exemple:

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/1218268960

[trotsky]

12. LOL it's just like the Trump Criticizes Trump twitter feed.

https://twitter.com/dontrumpstrump?lang=en

On DU it's guillaumeb criticizes guillaumeb. He always seems to have done exactly the opposite of what he says.

[MineralMan]

13. I'm not singling out anyone. That would be impolite of me to do.

However, I've been around here for a long time, and have seen such behavior from many. I've left this Group a couple of times due to it. I do not intend to leave it again.

[MineralMan]

4. Did you think I was talking about you, Guy?

[guillaumeb]

6. No.

[MineralMan]

8. A hit dog will holler.

[guillaumeb]

9. Stop hitting that dog right now.

Do you remember the National Lampoon cover with the picture of the dog and a man holding a gun?

https://www.art.com/products/p12924416090-sa-i6415309/national-lampoon-january-1973-if-you-don-t-buy-this-magazine-we-ll-kill-this-dog.htm

[MineralMan]

14. Diversion. I understand your need to divert.

I'm not easily diverted, however. You can find another example of that in a recently posted new thread.