How should the religious and atheists approach each other in discussion? Five morals.

[C C]

http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/en...ssion_fiv/

EXCERPT: I here draw five morals concerning how atheists and the religious might usefully approach each other in debate and argument (from forthcoming book chapter).

1. There's a tendency among the religious to take offence at comparisons drawn by atheists between religious belief and other supernatural beliefs such as belief in ghosts, fairies, etc. No doubt some atheists do just want to belittle and bait the religious by making such comparisons. However, it seems to me that, given that the X-claim explanation of why Peter fails to recognise the unreasonableness of his Christian belief looks fairly plausible and certainly is no 'just so' story (I'll be posting on this shortly, but it's an explanation of religious belief based on drawing a parallel between beliefs in fairies, ghosts, and other invisible persons on the one hand, and belief in gods on the other), drawing such a comparison can be very appropriate. I certainly intend no offence by drawing it. I don't think the religious should take offence...

[Magical Realist]

"5. Atheists should understand the often good motives of those who evangelize. After all, Christian evangelists really are trying to save us atheists. The stakes couldn't be higher. If I could only save someone from a dangerous fall by rudely grabbing them and shouting my warning in their face, I would. I will generally forgive those who strive, by behaving with similarly urgency, to save me from a fate literally worse than death. I certainly don't expect the religious to keep their beliefs to themselves."

I somehow doubt the good motives of people who have already judged me deserving of eternal damnation simply for disagreeing with them. It's the ultimate power trip to believe views opposing your own are destined to be silenced forever by God himself after the Apocalypse. It is the elevation of being right, and infallibly so, to a fantasy where all atheists are doomed to hell and the believers will all walk on streets of gold. They're not interested in convincing them of their religion. They're only interested in winning the argument. And that's why Jesus told his missionaries that if someone refuses to let them enter their home, shake the dust off off their sandals as they walk away. It's the ultimate payback for daring not to listen to them. "Good riddance you pathetic godless sinner. May you get everything you deserve."