Freethought & Rationalism Archive

chekmate · 05-20-2003, 04:35 PM

Christians that is. What is the best way to get them to listen to what I have to say, without sticking their fingers in their ears and going "LALALALALALALALALA", and/or telling em to shutup?

Jinto · 05-20-2003, 04:43 PM

Find two Christians who disagree on everything except the fact that God exists. Introduce them to each other. Bring popcorn.

No, it won't get them to listen to you, but it is fun to watch.

christ-on-a-stick · 05-20-2003, 05:28 PM

Something that has worked for me a few times is to tell the person that if they want to discuss religion with me in any way, shape or form (gush about an "answered prayer", witness/preach in any way or wax poetic about their "relationship with Gawd") - that it has to be a two-way conversation. In other words, I'm not going to listen to what they have to say if when in response *I* have something to say they claim "oh I don't want to argue/discuss/debate" religion.

yguy · 05-20-2003, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chekmate
Christians that is. What is the best way to get them to listen to what I have to say, without sticking their fingers in their ears and going "LALALALALALALALALA", and/or telling em to shutup?

Why do you want to talk to people who aren't interested in what you have to say?

Strawberry · 05-20-2003, 08:30 PM

yguy, fundies often *are* interested in what we have to say, insofar as they get to tell us we're going to hell after we say it. Anyway, by the same token, then, why do Mormons and JWs do door-to-door Jesus sales?

05-21-2003, 04:04 AM

Why do you want to get them to listen? Are you hoping to convert them?

AquaVita · 05-21-2003, 05:54 AM

I think this would get more play in GRD

Rational BAC · 05-21-2003, 06:23 AM

(I assume you are not trying to proseletize atheism. Gawd , I hope not ---------2 wrongs don't make a right )

But the more interesting question is----

Why do you think ALL Christians are fundamentalist Christians, determined to convert you? We are not.

Fundies are a MINORITY you know.

Fundies bother the hell out of me too and I am a Christian. I have no idea why they think my idea of Christianity needs improving.

Fundies need to realize that proseletizing was a pretty good idea 2000 years ago when most all communication was mouth to mouth.

In the year 2003-------the idea that you must "spread the word" or nobody will hear it ----------is ridiculous.

You might just tell them they are 2000 years (or at least a few hundred years) too late. Today, the "message" is there for all to hear---over and over and over again--ad nauseum.

Rational BAC · 05-21-2003, 06:34 AM

You do realize that any time you say "Christian" when you really mean Fundamentalist Christian, then you are playing right into the Fundies hands.

They really do think that they are the only rightful Christians. Why would you want to help their egos out that way and encourage that?

I get seriously annoyed when a Fundy asks me if I am a "Christian". I can answer yes truthfully, and they give me that suspicious look meaning "I don't think you are a REAL Christian" And then the "inquisition" begins.

Please--------all you atheists and agnostics out there--Do NOT encourage the little basstards. Call a Fundy a Fundy and leave us mainstream Christians out of it.------------You will help your cause way more than you can imagine.

PLEASE.

Rational BAC · 05-21-2003, 07:12 AM

Now I do understand the atheist problem with this Fundy proseletysing--------

I get off pretty easy---When they ask "Do you know the Lord" --I can say yes. When they ask "Have you been saved?" I can say yes. When they ask "Have you been born again?" I can say yes (hell--anybody who has been baptized has been "born again".) -------------And all truthfully.----------

End of conversation for me. No real confrontation. And everybody is a happy little dude.

Of course, If any of you have read some of my posts explaining what my idea of Christianity is---You would realize that any Fundy worth his salt would, if he knew what I really think, would be absolutely certain that I am going straight to hell------even quicker than any atheist because I am supposed to "know better" in their eyes.

But an atheist can't pull what I pull. And be honest with himself.

So back to the original question.---------How do you get out of it without confrontation? And maybe even get back at the Fundy who is annoying you.

I would say to tell him what I suggested before. That "spreading the word" by word of mouth went out centuries ago. That this is no longer 1st century Jerusalem where almost nobody could read. That he needs to get a life and do something more important with his life, because he is seriously wasting his time and really does not understand the historical context of the Bible.

So there--------

05-20-2003, 04:35 PM	#1
chekmate Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Downriver Detroit Posts: 1,961	How do I get them to listen to me? Christians that is. What is the best way to get them to listen to what I have to say, without sticking their fingers in their ears and going "LALALALALALALALALA", and/or telling em to shutup?

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05-20-2003, 04:43 PM	#2
Jinto Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 957	Find two Christians who disagree on everything except the fact that God exists. Introduce them to each other. Bring popcorn. No, it won't get them to listen to you, but it is fun to watch.

05-20-2003, 05:28 PM	#3
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Something that has worked for me a few times is to tell the person that if they want to discuss religion with me in any way, shape or form (gush about an "answered prayer", witness/preach in any way or wax poetic about their "relationship with Gawd") - that it has to be a two-way conversation. In other words, I'm not going to listen to what they have to say if when in response I have something to say they claim "oh I don't want to argue/discuss/debate" religion.

05-20-2003, 08:30 PM	#5
Strawberry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lancaster, PA/Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 627	yguy, fundies often are interested in what we have to say, insofar as they get to tell us we're going to hell after we say it. Anyway, by the same token, then, why do Mormons and JWs do door-to-door Jesus sales?

05-21-2003, 04:04 AM	#6
DMB Guest Posts: n/a	Why do you want to get them to listen? Are you hoping to convert them?

05-21-2003, 05:54 AM	#7
AquaVita Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 4,351	I think this would get more play in GRD

05-21-2003, 06:23 AM	#8
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	(I assume you are not trying to proseletize atheism. Gawd , I hope not ---------2 wrongs don't make a right ) But the more interesting question is---- Why do you think ALL Christians are fundamentalist Christians, determined to convert you? We are not. Fundies are a MINORITY you know. Fundies bother the hell out of me too and I am a Christian. I have no idea why they think my idea of Christianity needs improving. Fundies need to realize that proseletizing was a pretty good idea 2000 years ago when most all communication was mouth to mouth. In the year 2003-------the idea that you must "spread the word" or nobody will hear it ----------is ridiculous. You might just tell them they are 2000 years (or at least a few hundred years) too late. Today, the "message" is there for all to hear---over and over and over again--ad nauseum.

05-21-2003, 06:34 AM	#9
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	You do realize that any time you say "Christian" when you really mean Fundamentalist Christian, then you are playing right into the Fundies hands. They really do think that they are the only rightful Christians. Why would you want to help their egos out that way and encourage that? I get seriously annoyed when a Fundy asks me if I am a "Christian". I can answer yes truthfully, and they give me that suspicious look meaning "I don't think you are a REAL Christian" And then the "inquisition" begins. Please--------all you atheists and agnostics out there--Do NOT encourage the little basstards. Call a Fundy a Fundy and leave us mainstream Christians out of it.------------You will help your cause way more than you can imagine. PLEASE.

05-21-2003, 07:12 AM	#10
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Now I do understand the atheist problem with this Fundy proseletysing-------- I get off pretty easy---When they ask "Do you know the Lord" --I can say yes. When they ask "Have you been saved?" I can say yes. When they ask "Have you been born again?" I can say yes (hell--anybody who has been baptized has been "born again".) -------------And all truthfully.---------- End of conversation for me. No real confrontation. And everybody is a happy little dude. Of course, If any of you have read some of my posts explaining what my idea of Christianity is---You would realize that any Fundy worth his salt would, if he knew what I really think, would be absolutely certain that I am going straight to hell------even quicker than any atheist because I am supposed to "know better" in their eyes. But an atheist can't pull what I pull. And be honest with himself. So back to the original question.---------How do you get out of it without confrontation? And maybe even get back at the Fundy who is annoying you. I would say to tell him what I suggested before. That "spreading the word" by word of mouth went out centuries ago. That this is no longer 1st century Jerusalem where almost nobody could read. That he needs to get a life and do something more important with his life, because he is seriously wasting his time and really does not understand the historical context of the Bible. So there--------

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