Originally Posted By: MerditOriginally Posted By: fw707Originally Posted By: MerditOriginally Posted By: fw707Originally Posted By: Merdit
I have always wondered why anyone who believes that there is no God would spend their time trying to convince someone else to believe the same. It appears to me as irrational as my faith does to them, I suppose.
Merdit,
How many proselytizing atheists do you know?
What methods do they use to try to convince you to renounce your Christian faith and replace it with the principles of atheism?
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Can't say that I know any really well. I have encountered enough to make me ask the question.
One of the most memorable was an English professor my first semester of college. He was a grey skinned old guy with emphysema, but had a quick wit, ornery grin, and his pale blue eyes seemed to twinkle when he cast his bait. Must have had seniority and been able to get the classes he wanted. I had an honors Comp class with him in which the roster was only twenty or so kids. He gave us about two or three real assignments the first week or so, just to make sure we could already write well enough. Pretty much the rest of the semester was spent in conversation/debate. He would start it up as soon as we came into the classroom. Wouldn't always be something philosophically deep, but he would steer it there if he was in the mood. He learned who was easy to get going. The rest of us learned to throw in a tidbit to keep it rolling if things slowed down. He had a crucifix on the wall behind his desk. He was a master at chipping away at people. Poke, prod, and provoke. By the way, your last name isn't Blackmon, is it?
I guess it’s safe to assume Blackmon was your professor’s name, so no, I am not Professor Blackmon.
My education is so far at the other end of the scale I actually took the question as a compliment, instead of the jab it was intended to be.
Thank you!
What was Professor Blackmon’s deconversion percentage at the end of the semester?
Did they have safe zones at your college where you could go when different opinions caused you to have feelings of discomfort and insecurity?
I remember a movie where a little girl was traumatized by the screaming of lambs being slaughtered.
By the way, your last name wouldn’t be Starling, would it?
It would be no small miracle if my professor was still alive. My question was intended to be both compliment and jab. I had hoped you would see both were intentional. Blackmon would have. Likening you to Blackmon is certainly more compliment than jab. However, this is the internet. I cannot know if you are the caliber of Blackmon, as I knew him face to face and you on a faceless forum. Oh, well.
No idea if he had any conversions at all.
No idea if my college had safe zones.
You imply that I had feelings of discomfort and insecurity. I did not.
I also feel neither discomfort nor insecurity from your last poke, either.
Thank you for a civil reply!
I apologize if I overreacted to your poke.
MCary has done a bang-up job of answering your original question, but it’s been so long since there’s been a civil discussion on religion I will add a little when you are ready to hear from non-atheists.
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