Do Skeptics ever convince the Believer?

[atavisms]

Has a proponent ever changed his/her mind about their beliefs as a result of relentless Skeptical response? I tend to doubt it; if they do, it is more likley that like an addict, they were ready to change.

It happens everyday I am sure but we do not very often see it happening. People become invested in their beliefs (world view) and their positions stem from that.

Many people are brought up in one faith and never really question things until they get older. Perhaps one day they reach a point in their own development which takes them in another even contrary direction. Often it is from having been presented with new information that leads to an inner conception or realization. Hopefully, we are all learning for life.

 

[makaya325]

It also makes one feel not sad, but relieved, when they discover their once tight held beliefs were wrong.

 

[thesyntaxera]

It also makes one feel not sad, but relieved, when they discover their once tight held beliefs were wrong.

Hmmm. I might have to disagree here to a point...when it comes to Ct's and all that, sure, relief is probably felt, and maybe a little anger. Destroying a persons religious beliefs and the emotions that go with those are a little different, in my opinion.

 

[atavisms]

Hmmm. I might have to disagree here to a point...when it comes to Ct's and all that, sure, relief is probably felt, and maybe a little anger. Destroying a persons religious beliefs and the emotions that go with those are a little different, in my opinion.

Destroying? what, the primitive, cultural myths and superstitions?
if it's not liberating why make the change?

That is the certainly experience of a person raised with the belief that all things can be forgiven by god if sincerely repented but one. There is certain eternal torment in hell for having ever doubted the existence of the holy spirit/ The maker of the indie documentary, The God Who Wasn't There, talks of his torment and fear believing he had broken this inviolable law. I wasnt raised that way (no thanks to god)

Spirituality is not bound by tradition like religion is. We should be able to criticize religion without diminishing the beauty it can hold and reveal to so many in so many ways.

 

[Baby Nemesis]

Hmmm. I might have to disagree here to a point...when it comes to Ct's and all that, sure, relief is probably felt, and maybe a little anger. Destroying a persons religious beliefs and the emotions that go with those are a little different, in my opinion.

I agree; on another board once, I was a bit shocked and concerned to read the testimony of someone who was raised Christian and made to go to a Christian-type college by his overly-strict father against his own wishes, but obviously unbeknowns to his father, this college was rather liberal in its interpretation of the Bible and taught him it was basically just a pile of myths. He might not have been typical, but he got seriously depressed over the faith crisis that caused him to have, and over trying to get a sign from God about the direction his life ought to take and failing, and he even started self-harming. He had a tendency towards depression and self-harm anyway, it turned out, but I'd never realised losing faith in a religion could do that to someone before.

 

[thesyntaxera]

Destroying? what, the primitive, cultural myths and superstitions?

Yes, those.

if it's not liberating why make the change?

Good question. There might be a point where the feeling of liberation is experienced. I am just talking about the instances where it is not, which there are many.

That is the certainly experience of a person raised with the belief that all things can be forgiven by god if sincerely repented but one. There is certain eternal torment in hell for having ever doubted the existence of the holy spirit/ The maker of the indie documentary, The God Who Wasn't There, talks of his torment and fear believing he had broken this inviolable law. I wasnt raised that way (no thanks to god)

Are you saying that the feeling of liberation is certain here? The wording is confusing.

Spirituality is not bound by tradition like religion is. We should be able to criticize religion without diminishing the beauty it can hold and reveal to so many in so many ways.

True. I usually just enjoy the things I like about various religions without feeling like I have to convince people that their beliefs are wrong.

 

[Burning Beard]

I have a cousin in Australia who I am in contact with via facebook. In one of her status updates she said she was going to a psychic so I told her to be on the lookout on cold reading and gave her some links to check out.

The Derren Brown/Richard Dawkins psychic discussion on youtube was all she needed to come back from the psychic to tell me the "psychic" did everything Derren Brown discussed. She's mega-peeved about it too!

I've put a handful of friends/relatives right on the subject now. Some fence-sitters, some believers.