Can Irrational people Be Persuaded with Rationality?

[Full Circle]

As a somewhat new to atheism contributor, I can say that the tendency towards cognitive dissonance is easy as a believer.

I've had many conversations with atheists (as a believer) in the past, and brushing off arguments is easy when you don't have any good reason to question your beliefs.

It took having kids and wanting nothing more than to be able to be absolutely honest and sure about my answers to them when I was questioned about life to really take a good look at what it is I believe in.

You're not ready to deal with reality until reality is important enough to you to get right.

So no, reason only works for people that are ready to be reasonable. Personal beliefs are impenetrable until the armor is taken off.

Your last sentence reminded me of this:

“Against logic ignorance is the best armor”

[Mystic]

The short answer is: yes.

[CleanShavenJesus]

You cannot paint a theist as "irrational", in general, for everything. They only think irrationally when it comes to the subject of God (saying otherwise would be a blank assertion).

To answer your question: yes, irrational people (under my definition) can be reasoned with using rationale. After all, I once was Catholic. I'm living proof.

[thesummerqueen]

Personally I have had no luck talking rationality to irrational people.

Are you sure what you spoke about was rational? Maybe you were the irrational one talking to rational people?

[genkaus]

The short answer is: yes.

And an even shorter answer is 'no'.

[Angrboda]

The short answer is: yes.

And an even shorter answer is 'no'.

Unless you're TGAC.