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I saw this in the Holy Huddle room on the thread entitled 'Why do we lose it?'We're human, we have emotions, and some of the people toward whom were losing our tempers, etc. do things with the intention of insulting and angering Christians.
No. Stir them up a bit and challenge them, but not insult or anger.Fallibleone wrote:Do you ever post comments or say things with the express intention of insulting or angering Christians?
Yes. There are some non-theists who seem to not get the point of civility.Fallibleone wrote:Do you think the poster has a point?
No. It is like an admission that reasonable arguments have failed you.Fallibleone wrote:Do you think loss of temper is a justifiable response?
Often people think that insults to their religion are personal insults to them. I often don't care how it is perceived. Racism is an example in recent years where the open ridicule and non-acceptance of racist behavior has been very effective in changing public attitudes.McCulloch wrote:Does anyone think that rudeness and insults are a good way to persuade someone of the error of his beliefs?
Anyone who can't tell the difference between insulting their beliefs and insulting themselves isn't likely to ever recognize their errors in the first place. These are people who have so tightly bound up their self-image with their beliefs that they'll never be able to handle being without them. There are, as pathetic as it is, some people who cannot handle life without their ridiculous beliefs. Those people are lost and should be left to living their lives with their theological tin-foil hats.McCulloch wrote:Does anyone think that rudeness and insults are a good way to persuade someone of the error of his beliefs?
I think I agree. Some people are just plain lost. They need it so badly that nothing will dissuade them. Talk to the ones who are on the border. Those who are intelligent enough to string a few lines of reasoning together, but still clutch onto belief in the divine.Anyone who can't tell the difference between insulting their beliefs and insulting themselves isn't likely to ever recognize their errors in the first place.
It's not that we shouldn't talk to them all, but the ones that are so warped in their perceptions of reality that they can't let it go serve only as an example to others how utterly messed up Christianity is. You're not trying to convert the terminally gullible, just those who may be watching who are more reasonable and on the fence about the whole thing. If you find yourself talking privately to a member of the eternal God Squad, do yourself a favor and give up, you're just wasting your time unless you're a glutton for punishment.Openmind wrote:I think I agree. Some people are just plain lost. They need it so badly that nothing will dissuade them. Talk to the ones who are on the border. Those who are intelligent enough to string a few lines of reasoning together, but still clutch onto belief in the divine.
Yeah - I learnt this the hard way. The God Squad, as you term them, are impossible to reason with. It is kinda fun to argue though...You're not trying to convert the terminally gullible, just those who may be watching who are more reasonable and on the fence about the whole thing. If you find yourself talking privately to a member of the eternal God Squad, do yourself a favor and give up, you're just wasting your time unless you're a glutton for punishment.
I doubt that is is very effective. It certainly doesn't work on me.McCulloch wrote:Does anyone think that rudeness and insults are a good way to persuade someone of the error of his beliefs?
