tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post6911907365966352029..comments2023-09-30T06:42:31.235-07:00Comments on Advocatus Atheist: Dealing with Arrogant ChristiansTristan Vickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-2951900246227398702010-01-13T14:14:08.241-08:002010-01-13T14:14:08.241-08:00Religion seems to be especially a sensitive issue ...Religion seems to be especially a sensitive issue among family.<br /><br />When my family says something very peculiar, I always ask, "Why do you think so?"<br /><br />They eventually get to the point where they feel I'm like a little kid asking why, why, why all the time. But partly it's that I am genuinely curious as to why they think the way they do when there is a more practical and sensible alternative staring them in the face.<br /><br />When they ask me what I think... which is hardly ever... I inform them on about 300 years of religious history... and try to bring them up to date. When they ask me, well, how do you know? I site all the books and names I've read and they seem to get a little bit bewildered by it all.<br /><br />I always get met with the answer: I don't doubt your intelligence... but I think you're wrong. Which is more of an opinion than an argument really. All the expert historians in the world can't possibly be wrong... but instead of beating them over the head with knowledge, which doesn't seem to work since they tend to ignore it anyway, I just keep asking, based on what, why, and how come you believe that?<br /><br />Their answers are imaginative to say the least. Just nothing that could substantiate their claims. But keeping it cordial doesn't mean we can't keep it real. I try not to get into arguments, but sometimes they'll get angry or frustrated when they can't formulate a defense... and so that's when I know to back off and let them think about how much they still need to learn.<br /><br />And I think that's most Christians. Not all, because I've met some really smart people, but the majority would benefit from a library card and a few less hours of televised sports and just think how many books you could read if you spent that time educating instead of church going?! I've read hundreds.<br /><br />So ask your sister to read a book on the anatomy and physiology of dogs, and see what she says to that. It doesn't have to be a religious thing. Or better yet, just get her one for a gift. I send books to my family all the time, but I don't know whether or not they find the time to read them all.Tristan Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-12862519255543092992010-01-13T05:21:50.988-08:002010-01-13T05:21:50.988-08:00My sister is a born again Christian, and we discus...My sister is a born again Christian, and we discuss many things over email, such as whether Jesus is pro-war. But When she tells me that she cured her dog through prayer, I don't bother to respond. So far we have managed to not antagonize each other, maybe that's the real miracle.Lost Motorcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-76728541125761042082010-01-11T23:54:34.362-08:002010-01-11T23:54:34.362-08:00haha...boondoggle! Thats a good one! Ill be sure t...haha...boondoggle! Thats a good one! Ill be sure to remember that. Personally my favorite is twaddle but boondoggle is great!Devin Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17813524079960692662noreply@blogger.com