(July 7, 2010 at 9:20 pm)Godhead Wrote: Please let's not have a discussion solely about my beliefs or any other theist's beliefs as there are other threads where that can be discussed, this is specifically to see if you can convert me or any other theist.
We're not discussing how atheists would ridicule theists, or vice versa, and we're not discussing how you or I would consider the other person's views and disagree. We know that we disagree.
So, if you (atheists) were to attempt to convert a theist, how would you do it? Which methods would be most effective? Have you ever done it? If so, how? And which methods are least effective? Can you convert me?
A person's beliefs in their faith of choice is a very personal one from the get go - ingrained into them by their family and community of followers. Needless to say, I don't think anyone can really be converted by a single conversation, no matter how skilled the orator or damning the evidence.
I think this is why really it's so difficult to change these kinds of religious beliefs and why when, say, an atheist even merely becomes known, that person can become an abberation. It's why I think the reaction of a deeply religious family to discover that one of the children is an atheist is rarely anything other than negative.
It rarely helps that atheists seem to often come off to many of these folks as having something of a elitist attitude. (From what I hear, atheists, liberals, and democrats share this trait.) Regardless of how benign we as non-believers may be, our unspoken and outspoken position on matters of faith that matter so much and so personally to many people that when someone tells you that god doesn't exist is akin to telling someone that everything they believe - their entire view of everything - is wrong.
Some people get used to this notion quickly, while others choose a much uglier reaction. Some people have seriously devoted their entire lives believing in a being they imagine as the embodiment of love and compassion professionally and personally.
It's easy to imagine why the very notion of atheism and the existance and words of atheists invokes such powerful emotion from many, but I count myself lucky that America has not devolved into the theocracy that the religeous right in this country is trying to transform this secular nation into.
As such, purposefully un-converting someone from a religion works much like conversion from one faith to another. It first requires an open mind that is willing to listen, understand, and accept the differing view of things. It requires understanding and knowledge of everything being discussed by all parties. When someone has both of those things, then that person must make the leap and give up everything he or she ever thought she 'knew' as 'absolute truth' or whatever.
Beyond that, I don't think there is much that can be done. There is no real trick to it to my knowledge. Some people can be more stubburn than others to change their mind, but there will undoubtedly be people who will just never see things they way I do or you do.
As for you, I don't know if I can convert you. Would you be willing to be converted? What brought you to your faith and why?
