Atheists who have converted to theism?

[robvalue]

I agree, anyone is vulnerable to brainwashing. What varies is the overall resistance, resulting in a differering level of sophistication and a variety of techniques which would be required for each person. All we can do is be vigilant, and challenge our own beliefs regularly. If we find ourselves believing something that we can't reasonably demonstrate to others, it's time to take a step back.

But the "beauty" of brainwashing is you often don't notice it happening. Hence it is so important to not "trust" yourself too much as a reliable source, but to consider yourself to be an unevaluated source, which has to put forward evidence even to yourself. To a non-sceptic this may sound crazy. It may sound crazy to everyone, I don't know But to me, it seems like the only way to try and remain as objective as possible.

I'm not talking about some solipsism nonsense, and that you should discount yourself entirely, just that you should check you really do have reasons for your positions and aren't just holding them by assumption.

Some assumptions we do have to make. It's unavoidable. The trick is to keep these to an absolute minimum, if you're interested in reality.

But then, this is just me brainwashing you... I don't expect or even want anyone to believe anything I say on face value. I want them to think it through and come to their own conclusions. I encourage you to check everything out for yourself. If I'm ever talking bollocks, I would love to know.

http://youtu.be/64Qq31ucGy0