Tip #47 Don't Jump the Conversation
Jan. 17th, 2016 10:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wingedbeastIn the comments of a video, one of Steve Shives's "An Atheist Reads" series, one commenter had this to say.
I had my own response.
To which they responded with the following
The response was quick. But, there was no context for that request. I hadn't even identified myself as an atheist, just someone who doubted the reasoning behind their assessment that Steve Shives was bitter or hateful.
I could spend some time being confused on the matter. But, I'm not. It happens too often. A theist finds out, or assumes, that I'm an atheist and then brings out, absent all context, whatever line of argument that they think will net them some form of "win."
Previously, I made the point of saying that this isn't a game or a formal debate. There is no point where the judges will identify you the winner and award you my soul. Even if it were, you do not win such a game by starting it suddenly and demanding that a non-believer plays.
Imagine someone were to glance at you, on a beach, walking by a volley ball court, and then they suddenly spike the ball in your direction. Have they scored a point? No. You're not playing the game. But, for some reason, this seems to be attitude of many an evangelist and apologist.
In the course of your interactions with nonbelievers, there will be, for whatever reason, conversations that you want to have. The organic flow of conversation isn't going to provide you the opening you want or the conversation you want. Jumping the conversation from one to another won't help you do anything but show yourself to be not interested in an actual conversation.
There are ways to discuss what you want to discuss. You can ask to discuss a specific topic, even ask to debate theism v atheism if you like. Getting the exact responses you want is usually based on false expectations. And, sometimes the conversation you want, whether it's the topic in general or the specific script, just isn't going to happen.
Have the conversation that's in front of you. Ask people to join you in another or a different topic. But, don't just start a game to score a point, especially when this isn't a game in the first place.
At first I thought this guy was serious in his intent to analyze Craig's work, but less than half way through the first video we see the same emotional, bitter and hateful display so common with atheists who really cannot answer back to Craig's work.
I had my own response.
Specify exactly what leads you to the conclusion that this is bitter or hateful?
To which they responded with the following
I am not about to get in the weeds with you. If you think name calling and insults is not bitterness and hate, then who can help you?
Give me your best argument against the existence of God.
The response was quick. But, there was no context for that request. I hadn't even identified myself as an atheist, just someone who doubted the reasoning behind their assessment that Steve Shives was bitter or hateful.
I could spend some time being confused on the matter. But, I'm not. It happens too often. A theist finds out, or assumes, that I'm an atheist and then brings out, absent all context, whatever line of argument that they think will net them some form of "win."
Previously, I made the point of saying that this isn't a game or a formal debate. There is no point where the judges will identify you the winner and award you my soul. Even if it were, you do not win such a game by starting it suddenly and demanding that a non-believer plays.
Imagine someone were to glance at you, on a beach, walking by a volley ball court, and then they suddenly spike the ball in your direction. Have they scored a point? No. You're not playing the game. But, for some reason, this seems to be attitude of many an evangelist and apologist.
In the course of your interactions with nonbelievers, there will be, for whatever reason, conversations that you want to have. The organic flow of conversation isn't going to provide you the opening you want or the conversation you want. Jumping the conversation from one to another won't help you do anything but show yourself to be not interested in an actual conversation.
There are ways to discuss what you want to discuss. You can ask to discuss a specific topic, even ask to debate theism v atheism if you like. Getting the exact responses you want is usually based on false expectations. And, sometimes the conversation you want, whether it's the topic in general or the specific script, just isn't going to happen.
Have the conversation that's in front of you. Ask people to join you in another or a different topic. But, don't just start a game to score a point, especially when this isn't a game in the first place.
