enrious

Ok, I've been away for a bit and lurking some in the last week or so.

How seriously do you take the testimony, arguments, or preaching from someone who's say...14-19?

I admit that I generally ignore any postts that are debating a topic, whether they are atheist or not. It's probably not the best thing, but it's been my experience that almost without exception, they tend to have a very limited worldview, experience, knowledge of how to make an argument, etc. Again, I've found this applies to atheists as well, IME.

This is not to dismiss their beliefs or thoughts; rather it is to say that I've found that they tend to have a very difficult time articulating their position or having enough education or experience to evaluate the opposition's stance.

Anyone else feel the same way? I freely admit that it is not really a rational stance, but I have it.

Kosh

Yes.

Bumper Sticker: "Hire a teenager while they still
know EVERYTHING"

Dark Jedi

"When I was 14, my father was a complete idiot. When I turned 21, I was amazed at how much he had learned in 7 years." -Mark Twain

Bree

Oh, I dunno.

I don't think you can fairly discount all people within that age range. There are several floating about out there who have much more wisdom and life experience than someone twice or even three times their age. It all depends.

I for one am only 20 years old as of March. While I most certainly know I do not know everything, I do credit myself with having the ability to create (and maintain) an arguement and be able to defend my positions clearly and effectively. I for one count myself in with the youngsters that have extensive life experience - while I certainly cannot claim to have the experience of someone 40 years old, I can fairly say I am more experienced than some of my beer-drinking, mindless-screwing fellow collegiates.

Godless Dave

And there's always a small chance that we can teach the kids a few things. In my limited experience, kids often absorb ideas even as they tell you you're wrong.

Kosh

Agreed. You are wise beyond your years.

What exactly is "mindless-screwing"?

enrious

Bree, that's why I said it wasn't completely logical.

But take me for instance...by the time I was 20 (I'm 26 now), I had been in the military for 3 years, been in college, been living on my own for 3 years, enjoyed the pleasres of working 60 hour weeks and so forth.

Perhaps I should alter it to be people who have not finished high school or lived on their own for a while - that can really change your outlook and force you to mature.

Bree

LOL - no shit, your outlook does a 180 the moment "real life" kicks you in the nuts (or in my case, the ovaries). I wasn't criticising you, just providing another outlook.

Kosh - thanks for the compliment .

I meant to say "mindlessly screwing" but it came out wrong, somehow. Maybe it's because I ain't gettin' enough .

sullster

I now realize that I am in the geriatric section of the Infidels Discussion Forum. Is there anyone else around here that is over, gasp, 40? I don't use a walker yet and don't use Depends either.

My old-timer view on the issue posed on this thread is that I would cut some slack for someone at the very tender age of 17 going on 18 who is into the fundy mentality. Late adolescence is a time for experimenting with life choices and religion is a dangerously seductive area, but normal for one that young.

The people who are beyond their late 20's are another matter. A person has pretty much become what he/she is always going to be and the absorption of fundyism is a sign of an intellectual and moral dead-end.

Thus, I would handle a kid like Fastfalcon gently and try to get him to think and not fall into the closed world of religion before it is too late.

enrious

sullster, isn't it time for your nap?

As far as FastFalcon is concerned, I'm sorry but I don't think he's made a post of value - he's standing still at 800mph.

And I realize that many feel a need to try to deconvert, something I laud. It's just not me, however.

Rather than listen to someone who gets a bubblegum pack of Bible cards and goes out crusading, I'd rather spend my time reading coherent arguments from the opposition. I'm afraid I feel that the vast majority of H.S. aged teens are beyond help (like Lil) and thus it's best to wait until they start living in the real world.

By no means am I knocking your approach, sullster. Quite the contrary as I feel it is much more compassionate than mine.