Dumb it down for the believers.
I think one of the problems with the atheist movement is we are dealing with people that many of whom are not the sharpest tools in the shed.
I would like to propose a project to take all of the arguments against religion and rewrite them in a way that a child could understand.
I love Richard Dawkins but can you honestly imagine someone from Alabama reading let alone understanding his arguments?
A simple bullet point type list I think would go a long way to making the thoughts and arguments of our side more clear and approachable to the masses.
There could be different lists for any number of topics ie evolution, why the bible exists, hypocrisy in religious teachings, etc.
Maybe it could be a wiki run by the Reason Project?
I would like to propose a project to take all of the arguments against religion and rewrite them in a way that a child could understand.
I love Richard Dawkins but can you honestly imagine someone from Alabama reading let alone understanding his arguments?
A simple bullet point type list I think would go a long way to making the thoughts and arguments of our side more clear and approachable to the masses.
There could be different lists for any number of topics ie evolution, why the bible exists, hypocrisy in religious teachings, etc.
Maybe it could be a wiki run by the Reason Project?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on -
The thing that I see though, is that those who aren't the sharpest tool are not likely to deconvert for logical reasons, no matter how simple you make them. They are also not the ones who will be persuaded by lack of evidence. Those people with the least education usually tend to have most of their 'education' wrapped up in religious beliefs.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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Besides... There are tons of very educated, very smart Christians out there. They either willing or subconsciously ignore the logic, scientific evidence, and lack of evidence for deities.
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Permalink Reply by Shamus on -
So you don't think it's a worthwhile pursuit to make our views more accessible? Odd.
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Permalink Reply by Misty: Baytheist Living! on -
I'm already working on that... in book form!
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Permalink Reply by elaine kilshaw on -
I have just purchased a book edited by Russ Kick, 'Everything you know about God is wrong'. Quite a interesting book.I have only started to read it but it does seem to go on a different path from the others, and puts things very simple.
I would definitely like to contribute to put in some input but as Johnny I believe is saying that if it was written simply if you are doctrinated in religion nothing will change their minds however simply put.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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Yes, indoctrination over rides logic for many.
Especially those who don't see personal payoff in the logic area, and at the very least consider the indoctrination a 'safe bet.'
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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I'm not saying its not worthwhile; I'm saying it a long and very hard row-to-hoe.
Overall I really think you have to get more of the mid-educated masses and the media to come around to; then the rest follow.
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Permalink Reply by Shamus on
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I agree although I wouldn't dismiss the idea that a simple bulleted format list could help make our views more accessible to these groups as well.
Planting small seeds of doubt in bite sized morsels could be just one way. What would you do?
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Permalink Reply by Cara Coleen on -
Sam Harris and Chris Hitchens do a pretty good job of it. Ever read God is Not Great? It's not all science-y... it's very easy to read and understand. But, you can only dumb intelligent things down so much. A lot of religious people place very little value in education to begin with, so learning science in layman's terms is still off their list of priorities. In fact, some see education as a threat! After all, God confounds the wisdom of the wise; it's better to be a fool for Christ.
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Permalink Reply by Nix Manes on -
It's a nice idea, but it won't do that much good in the end, at least not toward your stated purpose, unfortunately.
Belief, by defintion, is a mindset that holds something to be true/false without proof, or in direct opposition to known facts. A believer's method of thinking is not one that accepts facts that detract from held beliefs. It's just part of their existence.
Plus, IMO, the idea of listing "arguments against religion" plays into the theists' hands. They are the ones making the claims, therefore they need to provide the evidence. Everytime I learn of an atheist being baited into trying to disprove a theist's claims I cringe a little because the atheist is already severly handicapped.
You can put together a list of why their claims and evidence (if you want to call it that) are crap, but it still won't help that much. A believer believes, and that necessarily stops the introduction of facts contradictory to their position--even if it comes from their own holy book. "You just don't understand" or "You're taking it out of context" are among the answers you'll get.
However, the idea could be a good exercise for yourself and for others to sharpen your own thought processes. If you really want to get people to turn away from myth and superstition, the best method is to be an example yourself. People do notice others. If you are happy, successful (even moderately so), don't get people in a defensive posture, are kind, personable, etc.--all the things we admire in those we like--people will wonder why. That's what'll do it.
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Permalink Reply by Cara Coleen on
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What helps me is knowing their "language", if you will. I have the advantage of having been fully submerged in religion and can get through to a person by speaking in a way that they relate to better. My approach is to usually avoid the "why God doesn't exist" angle and go for "why the Bible isn't true". The rest follows in time. I mean, that's how it happened for me; Jesus was the first thing to go in my deconversion.
First, I learned about preterism, which is the view that Christ has already been here a second time and all the things in Revelations already came to pass. I was shocked there was a perspective on The End Times I'd never even heard, and that flung everything else into question.
After that, I couldn't imagine why we were still even here if that were true. Suddenly, Jesus came under the microscope even more; after all, the Jews don't accept him as their Messiah. I wanted to know why, from their lips and not the lips of other Christians. It was a very simple, straightforward argument: he doesn't fit the description. Most of the alleged characteristics he was said to have weren't even prerequisites to begin with (like divinity or virgin birth).
I still clung to a belief in some god, but couldn't ignore all the problems with the Bible and its many different interpretations. At that point, though, it all fell apart pretty quickly thereafter. After Jesus and Christianity toppled over, the rest followed.
I say all that to make the point that you have to "meet them where they are" (old Christian motto). They're not ready to hear "THERE IS NO GOD!!!" You're pretty much pulling the rug right out from under them. People can't handle that in one fell swoop. Nonchalantly mention tiny misnomers and skip away without saying another word (happened to me). Be non-confrontational in you confrontations.
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