Have you ever had a conversation with a religious person in which you were able to alter their thinking?
I have a cousin who is/was a very devoted Christian. We once had a quite rational discussion about religion and his beliefs. I posed some questions that pointed out some of the inconsistencies in religion. At the time he responded in much the same way as you might expect. But then, roughly 15 years later we were talking on the phone and he mentioned that he had often thought about that conversation, and it made him question his beliefs. Needless to say, I was pretty stunned.
5
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9 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.It is only possible to alter one's own thinking. You may help another person - by communicating in some form - but only if that person is ready to listen and consider what you say. One of my favorite sayings sort of applies here: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
marga
Level 7
Feb 8, 2018
0
A former friend of mine and I talked each other out of being Christians, and then I talked another friend we used to go to church with out of Christianity, and now I'm talking to yet another friend we all used to go to church with, not necessarily to convince him, but to get him to understand and respect science, and the topic of slavery came up and I showed him all the verses I had a problem with and I asked him if he knew what God's position was on slavery, and he said "I used to think so; now I'm not so sure." I asked him what he was uncertain about given what we had just read. So that seemed to rattle him a bit.
I think it's possible to change thinking. I've done it and had it done numerous times. It just takes patience and a lot of conversation.
Honestape
Level 6
Feb 7, 2018
1
I never discuss religion or politics unless I am asked, then I give my views and reasons. If someone wants to get into a debate, i will ask them if there is any chance that I will change their mind and when say no, I say you won't change my mind either, so why waste our breath.
jlynn37
Level 8
Feb 7, 2018
4
It was a series of conversations. When I met my ex, he was very religious and hated that I was agnostic. I became atheist a few years later and he followed me there eventually. We're no longer together, but he's still an atheist.
It takes some time for people to emotionally process the possibility of godlessness.
Lysistrata
Level 7
Feb 7, 2018
0
Sort of. My best friend is a Christian and values the Bible very much. We have had intense discussions about the issue of abortion, and while she is still against it for religious reasons, she has been able to change the way she sees women who choose to have one and not judge them for their choice.
Amie
Level 3
Feb 7, 2018
1
I got my son to think. Hes in a very religous family atmosphere. I told him to be carefull ...
BucketlistBob
Level 8
Feb 7, 2018
0
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