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wingedbeastOne of the phrases that runs through my head the most during conversations with evangelists and apologists is "what was my reaction the last time you said that?". This is a companion piece to The Turing Test, as often times repetition can be a result of being very prepared for specific conversations... whether those conversations are the ones that actually happen or not.
Just like The Turing Test, there is a matter of showing the basic respect for other beings to have the conversation at hand, rather than using them as a stand-in for your prejudices.
However, I also believe there's another issue more specific to the repetition. Sometimes, one can have a misplaced faith in one's conversational tactics and strategies. One can be so certain that this fact is true or that question will lead to exactly the right place that...
Well, in one conversation I carefully explained to someone that repeating the base claim, as though it is my obligation to believe said claim on no other reasoning than that said claim has been made, is neither good reasoning nor likely to achieve results. Here was the response.
"if you want salvation then yes you are obligated to share my belief.
No egotism, just the truth. It doesn't take an infallible mentality on my part to recognize the truth etc., because Jesus said ye shall know the truth...
it isn't rocket science."
Look at that attitude and look at yourself. You may believe that you have the truth and that what you are saying is just that and nothing else. But, you are dealing with the reality and the people you are dealing with, not the reality or the people who will conform just because you tell either to do so.
If a fact claim or a certain strategy isn't working, acknowledge that. If you're not getting the response you need, don't go back and try again in order to achieve that response, keep going with the conversation as it is. If you've already had the conversation as you've practiced and haven't achieved anything the first time, the second time isn't likely to go any better, nor the third, nor the fourth. Acknowledge the response you've gotten and go forth with that response in mind.
Just like The Turing Test, there is a matter of showing the basic respect for other beings to have the conversation at hand, rather than using them as a stand-in for your prejudices.
However, I also believe there's another issue more specific to the repetition. Sometimes, one can have a misplaced faith in one's conversational tactics and strategies. One can be so certain that this fact is true or that question will lead to exactly the right place that...
Well, in one conversation I carefully explained to someone that repeating the base claim, as though it is my obligation to believe said claim on no other reasoning than that said claim has been made, is neither good reasoning nor likely to achieve results. Here was the response.
"if you want salvation then yes you are obligated to share my belief.
No egotism, just the truth. It doesn't take an infallible mentality on my part to recognize the truth etc., because Jesus said ye shall know the truth...
it isn't rocket science."
Look at that attitude and look at yourself. You may believe that you have the truth and that what you are saying is just that and nothing else. But, you are dealing with the reality and the people you are dealing with, not the reality or the people who will conform just because you tell either to do so.
If a fact claim or a certain strategy isn't working, acknowledge that. If you're not getting the response you need, don't go back and try again in order to achieve that response, keep going with the conversation as it is. If you've already had the conversation as you've practiced and haven't achieved anything the first time, the second time isn't likely to go any better, nor the third, nor the fourth. Acknowledge the response you've gotten and go forth with that response in mind.
