How to Convince an Atheist That They Are Wrong
So you know a Mormon who became an atheist—just hypothetically of course—and you want to convince them of the error of their ways. I’m going to show you exactly how to do it.
The first step is to understand why the transformation happened. Stereotypes like “They just want to sin without feeling guiltyâ€, “They never really had a testimony or knew Godâ€, “Someone in the church must have offended themâ€, and so on simply will not do. You must let go of preconceptions and try to truly understand. Only through understanding can you know where to start.
I mention an article that will help the believer to understand in my “about†page, but that might not be a visible enough place for such a great article. When a Loved One Has Let Go of the Iron Rod by Michael Felix starts the believer on the path of understanding and give some tips about how to talk with the once-believing Mormon.
Ebon Musings gives the next step by asking the question “What would it take to change an atheist’s mind?†in The Theist’s Guide to Converting Atheists. Follow those helpful directions†and you cannot fail to convert the average atheist.
How Not to Convert an Atheist goes further and tells you what to avoid in your efforts to show your atheist the light.
There you go: a surefire method to call the average atheist to repentance. Go forth and thrust in the sickle with all of your might.
†Some may pooh-pooh some of the methods presented as sign-seeking or tempting God. A theist can see that this is not the case by asking themselves “What would it take to make me give up my religion?â€. If a Pastafarian missionary came to a Christian, for example, and asked them to join his delicious religion, I’m sure the Christian would ask to have some evidence of his claims before taking him seriously. It’s only reasonable.
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His Hot Wife said,
March 28, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
I though the best way was for the wife to withhold sex from her atheist husband.
March 28, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Let me add that I think theists and atheists alike will realize that the following are not very convincing proofs of God (or so I hope):
Atheists’ Nightmare: The Banana
Atheists’ Nightmare: Peanut Butter
Lovely!
March 29, 2007 @ 12:34 am
I hadn’t seen that “Theist’s Guide” before — that’s great!!!
I touched on the same idea in my I believe in Santa Claus post.
March 29, 2007 @ 12:35 am
Hey that’s fabulous — your software snagged my little favicon!!!
March 29, 2007 @ 9:42 am
My Hot Wife: You’re only speaking hypothetically, of course.
C. L. Hanson: I’m with you about Saint Nick. Even as a true believer, I thought it was dangerous to attempt to convince my children the truth of Santa Claus. It seemed like it would only hurt my credibility when I tried to teach the stuff that I actually believed.
Cybr said,
April 24, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
In general I have found it about as easy to convince an athiest of a deity as to convince a thiest that there is nothing but a dead end stop waiting for them. For an individual to come to the either conclusion involves a certain sense of self realization toward one or the other. Not to dispute that either one is correct, but in this regard only you can decide. Not to say that evidence for or against cannot be of influince in the realization, but that it is up to the individual to make heads or tails of things.
April 24, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
Cybr,
What you say is very true: no amount of arguments or evidence can persuade someone who chooses to be dogmatic. There is definitely dogmatism on both sides.
Here’s a handy self test for dogmatism. Make a list of evidences which would convince you to change your mind. If you can only list a few (or none), then you are probably dogmatic on that issue.
Cybr said,
April 24, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Heck for that matter, I could find myself believing in “The Force” and being dogmatic about it too.
April 25, 2007 @ 7:38 am