a question on conversion...?

Question

i have a friend who is a devout christian. i'm interested in converting her to atheism because i'm concerned about her ability to distinguish between things that are real and imaginary. any suggestions?

the question was not meant to be taken seriously but to make people think. i don't know how many times i've read this question with the situation reversed. and for some reason, people are commended for wanting to change someone's beliefs. the hypocracy is hilarious...

i love i post a picture of myself and i still get at least one moron who thinks it's a pic of che guevara, and rather than answer the question, the morons usually say something to the effect of, "uhhhhh... you do realize che guevara was a killer... blah blah blah... i'm a retard blah blah blah..." just answer the question idiot. don't look for excuses.

Answer 1

Here is probably one of the biggest quandaries for secularists: How to convert the ardent believer? Unfortunately, I don’t have a clear answer to that.

If your friend is as devout as you say she is, then no amounting of argumentation is going to sway her. It doesn’t matter how cogent your rhetoric is, or how many appeals to logic and common sense you provide in your polemic; you simply will not convince her.

People, who are deeply attached to their particular faith, come to that faith out of an emotional need to believe. It has nothing to do with their rational faculties. That is why religion has survived into our modern era virtually intact, with little damage done to its efficacy, even in this age of scientific advancement. Religion’s ability to provide emotional fortification for the masses makes it virtually immune to any assault by reason.

However, if you can remove the emotional appeal behind religion, or somehow illustrate a secular alternative that gives the same visceral satisfaction, you might be well on your way to convincing her to depart from her faith.

Answer 2

I'm an atheist and I'd never try to "convert" anybody. After all, that's one of the reasons I became an atheist, I didn't feel it was right for people to shove their beliefs, or lack of, at others. That's not to say I haven't converted a few. But it's always happened by them approaching me and asking questions about why I don't believe. Answer those questions using enough logic and common sense and a few, very few, of the faithful will come to their senses. But as soon as you get into only an idiot could think that god exists or something you've lost them forever.

Also, it never works to try to explain evolution or astro physics to them. Simply say that the sciences have provided you with plausible explanations of the universe and the ascension of the species and you can find no such plausibility in the bible.

Answer 3

Read up on Che Guevara a little bit before you put his mug on your avatar - he was a killer. Set up the labor camp system in Cuba, and oversaw the first firing squads in Cuba.

I like this little gem of a Che quote - "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become …"

What was your question? Oh yes, real and imaginary. Shoot, I guess my Che comments point out an area of weakness in your views on reality.

Answer 4

Have you ever thought about just leaving her alone?

If she was really your friend - not some experiement - you would respect her right to choice her own beliefs. As long as she isn't hurting herself or others she has every right to believe in what she desires regardless of what you think of it.

I'm not Christian, nor am I a big fan of the faith but I do believe in leaving people alone once they have chosen their faith. Unless she is truly interested in something you are selling I would doubt you could sway her.

And from the arguments I have seen from atheists, I doubt any would impress her enough to change faiths.

I never understood why atheists are uncomfortable with people who have faith. I dated men who were atheists. I am a theist and I never brought up religion, conversion etc unless they had a specific question. They couldn't understand how someone they thought was intelligent could believe in G-d. They became obessed with my faith and eventually I had to seperate from them because to them it became a centeral issue even though their atheism didn't bother me.

If you value your friend, don't become obessed with converting her or trying to prove to her why you think she is wrong. You will only lose her in the end, which I doubt you want.

Answer 5

Most people are born with the ability to believe but because of upbringing, sexual guilt, hypocrisy and abusiveness of people of faith that ability either gets diminished or goes away. Brain chemistry also changes over time.

So unless you become extremely religious yourself and then become a hypocrite and an abuser, she will not "convert." But then, she will also dump you. I'm afraid, you are fighting a losing battle.

It will be better for you to find another girlfriend--somebody who shares your worldview.

Answer 6

LOL. I think you are just confused yourself because you do not know God in personal level and you think that others will not either.

I seriously doubt that a devout Christian will convert to the atheism. But you can try. We all give our account inventory to God after this life.

Answer 7

The simplest program I've come up with involves construction of a modest "church" building, a ream of letterhead, several dozen willing co-conspirators and about six months of careful indoctrination. It works, but you'll definitely need a budget.

Answer 8

Why don't you simply debate your views with her and leave her to make up her own mind. She's not trying to convert you is she? Imaginary in who's opinion? Yours? What makes you the oracle of all information in the universe???

Answer 9

Can anyone change what God has decreed for another?

If she is not chosen by God than I am sure she might just find what you say of interest. But if not have a nice day!

Answer 10

I'd suggest you work together to find the truth. Or are you just trying to make her like you? If you are not afraid of the truth, look at both options with her. Try to understand her viewpoint and she should try to understand yours. If you truly search for the truth, you'll find it.