It's a "last line of defense," kind of deal: from the point that this argument is broached on, it no longer matters what you say, or how comprehensive your debunking of their other claims are, they've got this personal experience to fall back on. Once they've made this single component of their beliefs unassailable by reason and logic, it won't matter what else you do; since you haven't gotten to the core of their system, then you're wrong and they're right.
In terms of a formal debate it's also a very clever, insidious way to poison the well; the apologist wants the audience thinking that their personal experiences are that same trump card, for exactly the same reasons. It's deeply irrational but then, apologists aren't playing rationally, they're playing to convince; at the very least, they can use this to keep the christians from wavering.
Any who do waver, well, they just aren't True Christians.
In terms of a formal debate it's also a very clever, insidious way to poison the well; the apologist wants the audience thinking that their personal experiences are that same trump card, for exactly the same reasons. It's deeply irrational but then, apologists aren't playing rationally, they're playing to convince; at the very least, they can use this to keep the christians from wavering.
Any who do waver, well, they just aren't True Christians.
"YOU take the hard look in the mirror. You are everything that is wrong with this world. The only thing important to you, is you." - ronedee
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
