I've had this conversation with my mom several times. She's a big-time Christian in the heart of bible-thumping Texas.
The problem with having this conversation with my mom, and others like her, is that they don't understand what critical thinking is. They don't recognize invalid logic. They don't recognize circular reasoning. They are blinded by confirmation bias, and have zero clue what the hell I'm even talking about or why my objections are valid. They have literally had God-blinders on their entire lives, and I don't know how many other tacts I could try that would have more effective results.
There are different kinds of Christians that have more potential for being made aware of their faith being a hoax than others. Some people derive so much comfort from their belief, and have done so for so long, that the very idea of questioning it brings them discomfort and fear. They're minds have safe-guarded their belief and it is not even on the table to being challenged (look at some of our resident theists here). They suffer from a state of doxastic closure (a reluctance to change a belief) that prevents them from honestly analyzing their belief. There's no telling what it will take to get someone to reach a level of doxastic openness with regards to their faith, but they're less likely to acheive that if they don't have, understand, or value the tools of logic at all. It's a sad state that perpetuates bad ideas.
This has been my experience anyway, and it doesn't stop me from defending my position. If my mom and other Christians feel comfortable spewing unsolicited religious nonsense, then I make no apologies for the response they get in return. This shit is never gonna end if they continue to get a pass. This idea that religious beliefs should get a pass has to be denied on all fronts. Even when it comes to family, and yes, I know it's harder. There are genuinely evil things that are masquerading under the cover of these seemingly harmless hopes. I'm over it. It took me a long time to decode my thoughts toward this subject, so I certainly understand why others remain cautious. But honestly, it just feels like the right thing to do. Be who you are, and know that there's nothing wrong with that!
The problem with having this conversation with my mom, and others like her, is that they don't understand what critical thinking is. They don't recognize invalid logic. They don't recognize circular reasoning. They are blinded by confirmation bias, and have zero clue what the hell I'm even talking about or why my objections are valid. They have literally had God-blinders on their entire lives, and I don't know how many other tacts I could try that would have more effective results.
There are different kinds of Christians that have more potential for being made aware of their faith being a hoax than others. Some people derive so much comfort from their belief, and have done so for so long, that the very idea of questioning it brings them discomfort and fear. They're minds have safe-guarded their belief and it is not even on the table to being challenged (look at some of our resident theists here). They suffer from a state of doxastic closure (a reluctance to change a belief) that prevents them from honestly analyzing their belief. There's no telling what it will take to get someone to reach a level of doxastic openness with regards to their faith, but they're less likely to acheive that if they don't have, understand, or value the tools of logic at all. It's a sad state that perpetuates bad ideas.
This has been my experience anyway, and it doesn't stop me from defending my position. If my mom and other Christians feel comfortable spewing unsolicited religious nonsense, then I make no apologies for the response they get in return. This shit is never gonna end if they continue to get a pass. This idea that religious beliefs should get a pass has to be denied on all fronts. Even when it comes to family, and yes, I know it's harder. There are genuinely evil things that are masquerading under the cover of these seemingly harmless hopes. I'm over it. It took me a long time to decode my thoughts toward this subject, so I certainly understand why others remain cautious. But honestly, it just feels like the right thing to do. Be who you are, and know that there's nothing wrong with that!
