Targeting the Peripheral:
A question for atheists.
Long ago Matt Dillahunty noted in a response to a caller asking him why he wasts time talking to theists that will not change their minds, he was also addressing those on the fence, watching, who question.
I have De-converted a few theists and in the majority of the cases, those I helped escape the darkness of superstition began their journey as they were within earshot of my long debates with hard core theists. This led to them later ask me questions that moved them towards the long (weeks to months of discussion) but highly beneficial path from faith (belief without evidence) to reason and reality.
Has anyone else experienced the same?
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7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.The current wife and I have rarely been around religionists. Most of the people we have associated with for nearly 35 years have been artists and scientists. Conversations have always been about the art, and/or the science. Religion has never been a topic.
Even those who are church goers have been non-christers.
The first wife's family were, followers of something. Had a few interactions with them. I learned to not confront them. I was young. And I knew nothing of such deep stupidity.
The only times i have been around believers were in the middle of crisis: car accidents,... I did not make an issue of them praying, and asking me to, for their injured family members. I joined hands and let them do what they needed to. To do otherwise would have been cruel. Don't ya think?
JacarC
Level 8
July 15, 2018
1
Under those circumstances, I allow them to fantasise about their delusional belief structure. I do draw a line when a theist thanks exclusively their loving god for saving 
after he/she has been rescued by professional care givers and or skilled doctors (cancer etc). I will ask, "What about the doctors that performed the operation? Didn't they help "
. . . On a similar note, Years ago I was asked to photograph a wedding. We met the night before the wedding at the church to take group photos. In a small red wagon filled with pink (or white) rose pedals, dressed in a tiny white ornate dress suffered a newborn. Each of her laboured breaths through a stainless-steel horn shaped opening where he nose should have been was clearly causing her to suffer. She was born without a nose and the surrounding structure to allow air to pass. Her grandmother (devout Catholic) commented to me, "Why would a loving caring god allow such an innocent child to suffer so?" I responded that her suffering was not a product of god but of the skill-full surgeons that modified her to allow her to live and breath. She is alive not as a product of god but as a product of science. She dies a few weeks later.
@NoMagicCookie Ever learn the reason for her death?
((An good story for a movie.))
@Jacar I am guessing it was a complication (most likely an infection) from the surgery used to (save) her from her god given birth defect.
Usually in the context of a science classroom ( but also occasionally outside), I regularly point out that for the religious assertion of supernatural agency there is no independently verifiable evidence. And for scientific explanations of natural phenomena, the evidence is overwhelming. I even go so far as to note that humans have invented at least a thousand gods, and that even Christians agree that 999 of those were false gods. As a scientist I cannot prove the non-existence of a deity. But I can say something about the odds that such an entity exists. Some people appreciate the distinction right away. For others it takes a while to sink in. And some others never get it.
Flyingsaucesir
Level 8
July 15, 2018
1
I don’t go out of my way to confront believers, and with my own group of friends who know my beliefs we don’t discuss religion. If however I am in a group of others who start espousing their beliefs I don’t shy away from challenging their assumptions. I don’t try to de convert them, I just use logic to try to expose the flaws in their belief in god. If any of them see my point of view it is gratifying, but I don’t care if they do or not.
Marionville
Level 10
July 15, 2018
1
I will debate the claim but only with the person who brought the claim to me. I've tried debating with anyone and everyone present, but that seemed to only have people double down on their "faith". Then I came to the conclusion that I was being similar, if not just like, those hardcore Christians that try to convert you. I think that if these people need to have their "faith" to get through life, who am I to force them to change their minds, no matter how rational my argument is. I find that these people need their "faith" to get through life because the fear of the unknown is just too great to go it alone. They will allow reason into their lives when they are ready.
Captain747ex
Level 7
July 15, 2018
0
I usually look slightly exasperated, make a remark that there is no god, then proceed to block, defriend, or walk away from them if it's in person.
I think they're morons and just want them stay FAR from me.
birdingnut
Level 8
July 15, 2018
1
I don't engage unless someone starts on me. I think of it like this - I despise when people try to push their beliefs on me, so I'm not going to push mine on them. They think they're right the same as I think I'm right, so I'd rather not start a debate. But I'm more than happy to put someone in their place if they attack my atheism or try to convert me.
JayGee83
Level 5
July 14, 2018
4
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