If I were a Theist...
I'd shut the fuck up.
Rather than reflexively opening my mouth to defend my beliefs, I'd start privately reflecting on them. I'd realize that nobody would complain about me practicing my personal belief as long as I practiced it in such a way that respected others and their right to be free of it. I would see that while I may not view the Bible as an infallible scientific textbook, it's clear that many others do, and that Atheists are not mad at me for reading my bible, they're mad because there are clearly millions of idiots who would like it taught in classrooms as an alternative to modern scientific knowledge and that is a huge problem in the 21st century. I would realize that most Atheist are sick of being treated like 2nd class citizens who are morally inferior simply because they don't derive their morality from one really old book or another. I would start learning about the critical habits of mind. I would learn to think critically so that I could have productive and honest conversations about the differences in views between Atheists and Theists. I would take the Atheists arguments head on and not shy away from a single tough question. If shown that one of my beliefs was flawed or fallaciously supported, I would revise it or reject it and adjust my approach in both thought and dialogue accordingly. Come to think of it...
I USED TO BE a Theist, and by doing the above, I reasoned my way to Atheism. I've had the other shoe on my foot and the error in your ways couldn't be more transparent from my perspective. My advice to Theists, start with the first step above, and slowly work your way down, and yes...you're gonna have to work.
I'd shut the fuck up.
Rather than reflexively opening my mouth to defend my beliefs, I'd start privately reflecting on them. I'd realize that nobody would complain about me practicing my personal belief as long as I practiced it in such a way that respected others and their right to be free of it. I would see that while I may not view the Bible as an infallible scientific textbook, it's clear that many others do, and that Atheists are not mad at me for reading my bible, they're mad because there are clearly millions of idiots who would like it taught in classrooms as an alternative to modern scientific knowledge and that is a huge problem in the 21st century. I would realize that most Atheist are sick of being treated like 2nd class citizens who are morally inferior simply because they don't derive their morality from one really old book or another. I would start learning about the critical habits of mind. I would learn to think critically so that I could have productive and honest conversations about the differences in views between Atheists and Theists. I would take the Atheists arguments head on and not shy away from a single tough question. If shown that one of my beliefs was flawed or fallaciously supported, I would revise it or reject it and adjust my approach in both thought and dialogue accordingly. Come to think of it...
I USED TO BE a Theist, and by doing the above, I reasoned my way to Atheism. I've had the other shoe on my foot and the error in your ways couldn't be more transparent from my perspective. My advice to Theists, start with the first step above, and slowly work your way down, and yes...you're gonna have to work.