Nice Atheists
“Nice” is important for atheists, for one reason: we can not convince religious people to be logical by using logic.
I recently saw Dan Barker speak in person. He’s so nice! You can’t help liking him, unless there’s something really wrong with your personality. He is a positive, helpful representative for reason, and should probably be sainted, if that weren’t such a contradiction. And it gave me some insight into the most difficult question for me: how do you reason with people who have decided to live a reason-free existence?
Well of course, the answer should have been obvious: illogical people need to be “convinced.” You will never convince them with logic, not until they embrace logic once again as a useful basis for living. You have to convince them using the tools that religion uses! Do I mean fear of death, empty promises, and social pressure? I’m sure those techniques would work, but I mean things like charm, your good character, and friendliness. It’s like any sales pitch. If the consumer is convinced that you are of good character, they will listen to what you have to say, regardless of its truthfulness.
So, all I’m saying is that niceness helps because it’s an essential part of a good sales pitch. Advertising agencies know: you don’t convince people with logic, but by making them feel good.
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:28 am
“Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.” — Ayn Rand
And then there are those who use reason in a rather selective or dishonest manner – brilliantly illustrated in this story:
A rabbi and a priest attend a boxing match. They watch as the boxers come into the ring. The rabbi sees one of the boxers cross himself. So the rabbi turns to the priest and asks, “What does that mean?” And the priest replies, “Not a damn thing if the man can’t fight.”
For people who reject reason – there are only two camps: complete rejection – or selective rejection. And it should also be noted that there are lots of people who do accept reason as an absolute, but who dishonestly profit by pushing faith over reason.
Those who reject reason entirely are completely deluded and should be avoided at all cost. They are truly dangerious people – possessing a mind incapable of rendering a single rational thought.
Those who selectively reject reason – do it either as a means of maintaining a comfortable world view (i.e., they are somewhat deluded.) Most people of faith are selective as to when reason applies: I have faith in God, and my faith sustains me – but I still need reason to figure out my freaking income taxes!
The other possibility is that a person of faith is simply dishonest. They know their faith is totally bogus, but they outwardly embrace it because the payoff comes from the people around them that they can easily influence and fool – their following, fellowship, flock, etc. In the case of the story above, it’s hard to tell whether the priest is somewhat deluded – or simply dishonest – but given his quick, witty reply to the rabbi, the odds are he’s acknowledging his dishonest faith – as though he’s sharing a private little joke with the rabbi. The priest would not tell the same joke to one of his followers.
Think about it.
October 22nd, 2010 at 8:53 am
Very deep. Delusion seems to be very popular. I guess because you get to have your cake and eat it?