I just wanted to start of with saying that my theist grandparents are two of the most loving and caring individuals in my entire life. They're smart too, but they've found a way to convince themselves that they aren't.
They love to talk about world issues, cop shows/crimes/forensics, and even science. I find there company very encouraging.
But here is my issue, I don't stand up for myself or the truth but I'm not sure if it is all that important.
My grandmother, specifically, is very outspoken. She's kind of on and off with whether or not she agrees with my scientific arguments. Like one day she's cool with evolution, the next day she says "I don't come from a monkey." One day she is cool with the Big Bang Theory and the next day she argues the 6,000 year theory.
Normally, I don't argue to much on these points because I don't find it useful to do so, the point is mute. But yesterday they were arguing that that funny little method of using two sticks that point to water is efficient enough to find a well. I believe it is called "dowsing."
From what I understand, dowsing is pretty much debunked. It's a bunch of rubbish but when I tried to convey this to my grandparents...wow! They sure got defensive!
I really should have showed him the Richard Dawkins segment where a psychologist debunks the practice with a controlled experiment.
But then again...I let this one go, to sympathetically argue was not enough, so I dropped out before anything was instigated but now I feel bad.
I had totally forgotten how easily superstitious and illogical I was as a theist (mormon) until last night with my grandparents.
I understand their belief in God, but dowsing? Really?
I hope not all theists are as superstitious and non-critical of such crazy ideas.
They love to talk about world issues, cop shows/crimes/forensics, and even science. I find there company very encouraging.
But here is my issue, I don't stand up for myself or the truth but I'm not sure if it is all that important.
My grandmother, specifically, is very outspoken. She's kind of on and off with whether or not she agrees with my scientific arguments. Like one day she's cool with evolution, the next day she says "I don't come from a monkey." One day she is cool with the Big Bang Theory and the next day she argues the 6,000 year theory.
Normally, I don't argue to much on these points because I don't find it useful to do so, the point is mute. But yesterday they were arguing that that funny little method of using two sticks that point to water is efficient enough to find a well. I believe it is called "dowsing."
From what I understand, dowsing is pretty much debunked. It's a bunch of rubbish but when I tried to convey this to my grandparents...wow! They sure got defensive!
I really should have showed him the Richard Dawkins segment where a psychologist debunks the practice with a controlled experiment.
But then again...I let this one go, to sympathetically argue was not enough, so I dropped out before anything was instigated but now I feel bad.
I had totally forgotten how easily superstitious and illogical I was as a theist (mormon) until last night with my grandparents.
I understand their belief in God, but dowsing? Really?
I hope not all theists are as superstitious and non-critical of such crazy ideas.
"Just call me Bruce Wayne. I'd rather be Batman."
