Many times I have watched my fellow skeptics, atheists, freethinkers, realists, struggling to convince believers that their cherished beliefs are false. I of coarse have and still attempt to persuade believers all the time. As a pro active realist, atheist, agnostic I want people to embrace reality for all that it is and not for what they want it to be. I have seen the great destruction faith has caused throughout history and have witnessed the appalling "us and them mentality" that religion causes.
Back when I was a Christian street evangelist (open air preacher) I was habitually engaging in debates with persons from all walks of life, opinions and views. I was always getting in debates every where I went. At coffee shops, restaurants on street corners, a college campus (Uc Davis CA) Huntington BH CA, Hollywood CA (The walk of fame) and yes even churches (when I thought my fellow Christians were being inconsistent with the teachings of the NT). I was intense! I was a sincere believer and I was on a mission, and just because I am now an unbeliever doesn't mean my mission has ended! Truth was important to me back then just as it is now. These were never formal moderated debates but more like apologetical encounters.
I have learned much from those types of verbal engagements....I have learned proof doesn't necessarily equal persuasion!
There are indeed many reasons for this but I will only give you the ones I feel are most important.
1 Not everyone knows how to think for themselves or reason properly. (Not everyone has taken a basic critical reasoning class)
2 Many people assume or decide the truth a head of time (faith) instead of actually seeking it. If A is true then that implies X. I don't like X,(or X makes me feel uncomfortable) therefore A is not true.
3 Many people are willing to critically examine other people's beliefs (world views) but not their own. Rarely if ever do they question the assumptions that make up their world view they just embrace them uncritically.
4 Many people could careless about reality/truth their just looking for an escape! They are so emotionally attached to their Sky daddy and life after death fantasies that they will filter any person or idea that contradicts them and only allow reinforcements of their beloved fantasies. They are the definition of closed mindedness.
Can we blame them? I mean who wants to accept the reality ( with the information I have thus far) that even the dead friends and family we love the most won't be waiting for us in some heavenly theme park in the sky? Who wants to embrace the reality(with the information I have thus far) that life is but a mere speck in space, floating in a vast and seemingly endless ocean of deadly radiation and chaotic destruction of stars. That all of our lives and accomplishments will be ultimately gone and forgotten? Do I blame these escape artists? yes!
I do not respect or admire cowardice nor will I pretend to! Don't get me wrong I feel for these people and I understand where their coming from. I just disagree.
I am not under the dilution that I can de convert anyone, nor am I naive enough to think that believers are believers merely due to a lack of evidence/proof. People are more complex than many of us realize.
The best one can do is put forth the most coherent logical argumentation as they can with respect compassion and sincerity.
Sincerely James TheRe@list
Back when I was a Christian street evangelist (open air preacher) I was habitually engaging in debates with persons from all walks of life, opinions and views. I was always getting in debates every where I went. At coffee shops, restaurants on street corners, a college campus (Uc Davis CA) Huntington BH CA, Hollywood CA (The walk of fame) and yes even churches (when I thought my fellow Christians were being inconsistent with the teachings of the NT). I was intense! I was a sincere believer and I was on a mission, and just because I am now an unbeliever doesn't mean my mission has ended! Truth was important to me back then just as it is now. These were never formal moderated debates but more like apologetical encounters.
I have learned much from those types of verbal engagements....I have learned proof doesn't necessarily equal persuasion!
There are indeed many reasons for this but I will only give you the ones I feel are most important.
1 Not everyone knows how to think for themselves or reason properly. (Not everyone has taken a basic critical reasoning class)
2 Many people assume or decide the truth a head of time (faith) instead of actually seeking it. If A is true then that implies X. I don't like X,(or X makes me feel uncomfortable) therefore A is not true.
3 Many people are willing to critically examine other people's beliefs (world views) but not their own. Rarely if ever do they question the assumptions that make up their world view they just embrace them uncritically.
4 Many people could careless about reality/truth their just looking for an escape! They are so emotionally attached to their Sky daddy and life after death fantasies that they will filter any person or idea that contradicts them and only allow reinforcements of their beloved fantasies. They are the definition of closed mindedness.
Can we blame them? I mean who wants to accept the reality ( with the information I have thus far) that even the dead friends and family we love the most won't be waiting for us in some heavenly theme park in the sky? Who wants to embrace the reality(with the information I have thus far) that life is but a mere speck in space, floating in a vast and seemingly endless ocean of deadly radiation and chaotic destruction of stars. That all of our lives and accomplishments will be ultimately gone and forgotten? Do I blame these escape artists? yes!
I do not respect or admire cowardice nor will I pretend to! Don't get me wrong I feel for these people and I understand where their coming from. I just disagree.
I am not under the dilution that I can de convert anyone, nor am I naive enough to think that believers are believers merely due to a lack of evidence/proof. People are more complex than many of us realize.
The best one can do is put forth the most coherent logical argumentation as they can with respect compassion and sincerity.
Sincerely James TheRe@list
