I'm sure you're all thrilled to see another offering of mine, but nevertheless, I have a second idea I think could be crafted into something maybe one day useful. And like my last idea, it also precludes any endorsement (linked or otherwise) of products and services! <aside>This seems like the subforum I should have placed my first idea.</aside> I call it the 10 Hour Challenge (subject to time alterations for whatever would optimize the process.)
The idea stemmed from the thought that many religious people were raised going to church regularly, listening to sermons, the gospel, sunday school, etc, reenforced by similar beliefs of nearly the rest of the planet. There's not a great deal of push back from much of society. They're brought up in a culture and society that largely reenforces their beliefs. Many have had lengthy exposure to the reasons, lectures and lessons of religion. But I would suspect very few of them have endured any sort of prolonged, logical pushback. Few (I continue to suspect) have listened at length to the great speeches of the atheists at the forefront of our movement that deconstruct their assumed reality and show it for what it is.
So I had an idea that something could be cobbled together that could provide a (very crudely) equal opportunity from the opposing view point. The 10 Hour Challenge would be a voluntary experience for those who are most open to consider the arguments from the other side. And tentatively, I have in mind a selection of youtube speeches I've recently watched that I just felt were very convincing and strongly articulated.
So what I'd be interested in is what videos/clips best present the argument without being overly polarizing (as it's already contentious and would lose the most sensitive viewers) - what would be considered the "essentials"? In an ideal scenario (money not withstanding), what environment would be the best in which to subject yourself to these lectures? If this were a real "challenge" already in place somewhere, what do you imagine it would look like? What rate of viewers might you think it reasonable it would give pause to/convert, recalling that they're voluntary screenings of subjectively open-minded individuals? What length of time would give the best shot at making the case, without being too repetitive or abrasive in suggesting our case, as opposed to 10 hours? Would this be a positive tool in the case for atheism? Should we publicize a mini challenge that draws you in to the larger, full challenge, so it's more inviting? Does this atheist community have any interest in this idea, or is it terrible on its face (and hopefully, why do you think so)?
Actually, I just thought of a possible way to do this at low cost. Youtube Playlists can be public. And it could be housed at some parent website that promotes the expectations of the process and discussions and breakdowns of the critical points brought up in the list.
/additional aside - I can list some random likes/dislikes of mine to further inform you all of myself if that lowers the barrier for considering this idea. =P
<3 - Pizza, cheesecake, hockey, music, educational youtube channels like minute physics, CPG Grey, Crash Course and Smarter Every Day
X - Smoking, ignorance, current US republican party, hangovers (there may be arrogance and/or inconsistencies here)
Happy New Cheers,
~Golbez
The idea stemmed from the thought that many religious people were raised going to church regularly, listening to sermons, the gospel, sunday school, etc, reenforced by similar beliefs of nearly the rest of the planet. There's not a great deal of push back from much of society. They're brought up in a culture and society that largely reenforces their beliefs. Many have had lengthy exposure to the reasons, lectures and lessons of religion. But I would suspect very few of them have endured any sort of prolonged, logical pushback. Few (I continue to suspect) have listened at length to the great speeches of the atheists at the forefront of our movement that deconstruct their assumed reality and show it for what it is.
So I had an idea that something could be cobbled together that could provide a (very crudely) equal opportunity from the opposing view point. The 10 Hour Challenge would be a voluntary experience for those who are most open to consider the arguments from the other side. And tentatively, I have in mind a selection of youtube speeches I've recently watched that I just felt were very convincing and strongly articulated.
So what I'd be interested in is what videos/clips best present the argument without being overly polarizing (as it's already contentious and would lose the most sensitive viewers) - what would be considered the "essentials"? In an ideal scenario (money not withstanding), what environment would be the best in which to subject yourself to these lectures? If this were a real "challenge" already in place somewhere, what do you imagine it would look like? What rate of viewers might you think it reasonable it would give pause to/convert, recalling that they're voluntary screenings of subjectively open-minded individuals? What length of time would give the best shot at making the case, without being too repetitive or abrasive in suggesting our case, as opposed to 10 hours? Would this be a positive tool in the case for atheism? Should we publicize a mini challenge that draws you in to the larger, full challenge, so it's more inviting? Does this atheist community have any interest in this idea, or is it terrible on its face (and hopefully, why do you think so)?
Actually, I just thought of a possible way to do this at low cost. Youtube Playlists can be public. And it could be housed at some parent website that promotes the expectations of the process and discussions and breakdowns of the critical points brought up in the list.
/additional aside - I can list some random likes/dislikes of mine to further inform you all of myself if that lowers the barrier for considering this idea. =P
<3 - Pizza, cheesecake, hockey, music, educational youtube channels like minute physics, CPG Grey, Crash Course and Smarter Every Day
X - Smoking, ignorance, current US republican party, hangovers (there may be arrogance and/or inconsistencies here)
Happy New Cheers,
~Golbez
