An interesting way to talk to theists:
I'm a probation officer. Part of my job is to meet with lifelong criminals and in meeting that last less then an hour maybe every other week we need to use simple talking to get them to stop commiting crimes. That's a tall order to say the least.
But it actally gives me a unique insight that somw of you might find interesting. Here's some tricks of the trade atheists might consider trying when talking to theists.
Let them make the argument for atheism for you. It's well known documented fact that people are way more likely to accept arguments they come up with themselves.
So instead of saying: "There is no God, due to the lack of evidence!" Which tends to make them put their sheild up; try instead asking them: "Why do you suppose that I am an atheist?" "Or what do you feel are the best arguments that atheists have come up with and why?" Be sure to keep your tone as non-confrontational as possible. Then when they answer send them a link to an atheist source which supports what they've already told you to reinforce it. This way they find out they're right and not wrong and are more likely to engage with atheists in the future.
It's called motivational based interviewing and it REALLY WORKS.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.That's pretty awesome...you seem like you really care about people in general. After reading your post, I thought to myself, "No way this person can be a PO in Texas!"
jondspen
Level 7
Nov 16, 2018
0
No that's true I live in British Columbia, Canada... We're not even allowed to carry guns. Our job is not punishment it's "public safety" and "positive social change". That's even in our official policy manual.
@Adamhayes_1986 I did some software contract work for Probation Office in Texas (I know that is different from Parole, but the employees are fluid between the two departments). Typically, they would talk mass shit about the people, treat them like dirt, and just be horrible humans. I remember one time one was talking shit about someone with a DUI....but a week or so later, was talking about how they were so drunk and operating their pontoon boat on the lake...which is also just as illegal. Judgemental christain hypocrits who have this superiority complex b/c they work for the state and feel they are above the law.
"Statistics" indicate that the prison population is less than 1% atheistic.
Your experience?
JacarC
Level 8
Oct 23, 2018
0
In out jurisdiction we don't gather that information unless the client volunteer's it.
@Adamhayes_1986 No one collects such information. So, what do you think?
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have argued religion with a theist. I must need to step up my proselytizing game.
CallMeDave
Level 8
Oct 23, 2018
0
This sounds like a great idea! I can't really try it as I have no idea whether most of the people I talk to are theists or not, and I'm not about to proselytize atheism.
Coffeo
Level 8
Oct 22, 2018
0
It really works! The secret is they need to think you're legitimately interested in what they have to say (even if you're not). So it still works because you're talking about what they think not what you think.
@Adamhayes_1986 I'd still have to find some people who wouldn't mind being asked whether they're believers or not.
Being a probation officer, out of curiosity, how many of your clients that did jail/prison time and "found" god gave that up when out and back into a new world?
Beowulfsfriend
Level 9
Oct 22, 2018
0
Couldn't tell you if I knew. But when their supervision is done, it's done.
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