# How to Deal With Opposing Arguments *A preacher should be prepared to defeat atheists in argument, while focusing on the primary mission of spreading saṅkīrtana.* ← Back to [[wiki/compile/preaching-is-the-essence|Preaching Is the Essence]] --- ## Dealing With Opposition ### The main business of a preacher is to introduce saṅkīrtana ![[cc/adi/16/8#purport|Although Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His devotees in disciplic succession can defeat all kinds of learned scholars, scientists and philosophers in arguments, thus establishing the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead, their main business as preachers is to introduce saṅkīrtana everywhere. Simply to defeat scholars and philosophers is not the occupation of a preacher. Preachers must simultaneously introduce the saṅkīrtana movement, for that is the mission of the Caitanya cult]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/16/8|Ādi 16.8]] Purport --- ### The preacher should avoid an argumentative attitude ![[sb/7/13/7#purport|One should not concern oneself with the conclusions of various logicians or philosophers. Of course, those who preach sometimes need to argue with the contentions of opponents, but as much as possible one should avoid an argumentative attitude]] —SB [[sb/7/13/7|7.13.7]] Purport --- ### Those who are preachers should be prepared to defeat others' arguments ![[cc/madhya/9/49#purport|Those who are preachers in ISKCON will certainly meet many people who believe in intellectual arguments. Most of these people do not believe in the authority of the Vedas. Nevertheless, they accept intellectual speculation and argument. Therefore the preachers of Kṛṣṇa consciousness should be prepared to defeat others by argument, just as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/9/49|Madhya 9.49]] Purport --- ### ISKCON preachers should be expert in defeating atheists ![[cc/madhya/9/51#purport|Atheists may be very expert in mental speculation and may be so-called great philosophers, but they can be defeated by a Vaiṣṇava firmly situated in his conviction and God consciousness. Following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the preachers engaged in the service of ISKCON should be very expert in putting forward strong arguments and defeating all types of atheists]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/9/51|Madhya 9.51]] Purport