Comment by Reggie on December 22, 2009 at 9:39pm

Somebody Wrong on the Internet Syndrome (SWIS) afflicts many internet users, myself included.

Personally, I try to never argue with someone with the purpose of changing their mind. That rarely ever happens, at least no right away or so that you'll ever know about it. I'll engage in debate for three reasons:

1) Testing the mettle of my argument. Not only do I get to practice my arguments against different types of foes without pissing people off in real life, but I also get to see how my arguments stand up. If someone has a convincing argument, then I certainly will consider it. In the end, I want to be sure that I am right and debating people is a good way to do it, after a fashion.

Now, one caveat to this is, there are a certain type of people that there is no use arguing with or debating. After awhile, I have learned how to recognize these people rather quickly, saving myself time for better debates that may teach me something or change my perspective.

2) Lurkers. People are notorious for going along with the crowd. In some situations, it is a good thing to voice dissent as long as it is backed up with reason and evidence. The person you may convince may be someone you never knew was there. I really feel that if I, along with other atheists, are not open about the whats and the whys of atheism, we leave it to theists to turn it (again) into a pejorative and a much maligned position.

3) Some people don't like the confrontation. Whether they are timid, or they can't speak their mind for fear of losing a job or family support, or whatever the case may be. I am in a position where I can speak my mind on such issues without fear of serious reprisal. While some of these people hate that I do speak my mind (like the Accommodationists), others do appreciate that someone is speaking up for things that they themselves do not or can not.

Good to see you post a blog, John. I have seen you pop in from time to time.

Comment by Gaytor on December 23, 2009 at 12:47am

Also guilty. I agree largely with Reggie. I do it hoping that other fencers can see the two sides of the coin and judge it that way. It's also personal entertainment.

Comment by Nelson on December 23, 2009 at 2:10am

i'm with Gaytor and Reggie. though i know from personal experience that beating your head against the wall sometimes makes the wall come crashing down. i've personally either been the reason behind or contributed to a few deconversions. it's easy for us to focus on all the immovable walls we come across but why don't we remember that most atheists were once believers themselves? the walls come down sometimes; they do.

Comment by Matthew on December 23, 2009 at 8:24am

I have tried to put some ideas out to a few thiests and so far all I have had has been rejection of the facts given to them about the bible and the falsehoods it contains. Most dont even want to hear any dissenting views at all. But, if we dont stop trying we could end up with a xtain version of theocracy and where would that lead us? To another "Holy War/Crusade" for real?

Comment by Reggie on December 23, 2009 at 12:09pm

Most dont even want to hear any dissenting views at all.

No sense in trying to rationize with certain people. Belief easily overrides facts and reason.

Comment by John Nguyen on December 23, 2009 at 5:37pm

Sort of like Poe's Law. Even if you know that it's a farce, it's still worth refuting it because there's still probably someone who actually believes it.

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