RE: Can atheists convert theists?
July 8, 2010 at 8:59 am
(This post was last modified: July 8, 2010 at 9:01 am by Paul the Human.)
Personally, I am very interested in why people believe that god(s) exist and enjoy asking questions about what they believe. I'm not necessarily out to deconvert anyone, but if what they say and/or believe doesn't make any sense, I do not hesitate to attempt to explain that to them. I call it as I see it... and so far... no one has ever explained a religious belief to me that did not sound like make-believe. I am astounded that anyone could continue to believe that god(s) exist after having actually given it some honest thought.
The ridicule comes in (for me) when the theist in question repeatedly refuses to acknowledge refutations or simply counters with mumbo-jumbo answers that only a believer would actually believe. Circular logic, magical thinking, intellectual dishonesty, childish wonder, and belief because some ancient book says so... all deserve ridicule in my opinion. But not in real life, so much. I leave them alone and ask the same in return.
This is not real life. This is an atheist forum community that welcomes Kool-Aid drinkers of every flavor. If a theist comes here and can't talk rationally... they are simply begging for ridicule. Why else are they here?
(EDIT: As to the original question, "Can atheists convert theists?" - I think the answer is yes, but only if the theist is willing to explore his/her beliefs critically and rationally. Do we want to convert them? That depends on who you ask.)
The ridicule comes in (for me) when the theist in question repeatedly refuses to acknowledge refutations or simply counters with mumbo-jumbo answers that only a believer would actually believe. Circular logic, magical thinking, intellectual dishonesty, childish wonder, and belief because some ancient book says so... all deserve ridicule in my opinion. But not in real life, so much. I leave them alone and ask the same in return.
This is not real life. This is an atheist forum community that welcomes Kool-Aid drinkers of every flavor. If a theist comes here and can't talk rationally... they are simply begging for ridicule. Why else are they here?
(EDIT: As to the original question, "Can atheists convert theists?" - I think the answer is yes, but only if the theist is willing to explore his/her beliefs critically and rationally. Do we want to convert them? That depends on who you ask.)
