l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 1 Steps
1
Are you prepared? You have to give them a real reason - not just an
emotional one. However, you have to realize that many of their reasons
for being a Christian are emotional, so be ready to show atheism in an
emotionally positive light.
2
Think about your friendship. Are the two of you close? If not, try to
increase your friendship before attempting to change their religious
beliefs. However, do not do this merely because you are trying to score
points, or because their beliefs offend you. Similarly, if you aren't
certain of your own beliefs, you may be using them to justify your own,
purely emotional, decision. You must have a genuine interest in being
your friend's well-being and want to help them give up superstition.
3
Educate yourself. The key to converting someone is to understand their
position. Read everything you can about atheism, Christian apologetics
and religious history. Most Christians don't know how their religion
came to be, so it is useful to be prepared in this area. Learn their
common arguments and the best rebuttals. Also, examine myths, urban
legends, and superstitions and learn why people tend to believe such
things. It will help to know something about the psychology of belief,
including the process of indoctrination. Read and understand their holy
book cover to cover. Study subjects in physics and biology, Christians
often use flawed arguments and this way you can counter them.
4
Start off casual. You should first show how atheism has impacted your
own life in a positive way. Citing peer-reviewed scientific publications
at every possible opportunity may be a bit much. However, if they bring
up that God did this or that in their life, it is ok to point out to
them other factors that helped them, such as probability, their own
work, or a professional's skill. It may also be useful to point out
atheist role models.
5
Get them in the habit of questioning their own faith. Sometimes pointing
out a single fallacy every now and then is good, or asking them to
explain something about their religion you didn't understand (ie If
Hitler repented, would he go to heaven?)
6
Let them try to convert you. Many Christians will automatically try to
convert you. This is the easiest way to engage them, especially if you
are familiar with the arguments they use. Just by being calm, firm, and
reasonable, you are already frustrating everything they've been told
about "immoral, angry atheists". Of course, don't get trapped at a
conversion party, and be especially aware of genuinely dangerous cults.
7
Give your friend practical advice for their problems from respected
books from respected experts in the field. If your friend tells some
wisdom from the Bible, point out how you can come to that wisdom outside
of religion. Show how you come to your views from practical roots.
8
Socialise them. Help them mix outside their own narrow circle of
believers, to see other viewpoints. They may have never considered other
views but those handed down by their church and peers. Make sure any
atheist friends know not to attack them, or obsess over religious
differences. Atheists don't spend much of our lives worrying about
"being better atheists", we just don't do religion; get your Christian
friend used to living without religion.
9
Don't change them. Don't try to change them too drastically.
Deconversion is a highly personal activity that inherently takes a long
time. Changes are gradual, so don't push too hard. Let the person come
to their own understanding of a world without any gods.
10
Know when to ease up. Some people just truly don't want to accept that
god is fictional. If this is the case with your friend, and you've tried
everything else here, don't push any further. There is nothing more that
you can do. Don't let it be cause to end your friendship, but know when
to leave them be.
11
Be open-minded. Listen and understand their point of view. Learn what
makes them believe what they do. Remember, we can't prove, in any
absolute sense, that no gods exist. We can only show evidence that gods
and religion have truly human origins, point out inconsistencies in
their belief, and show how scientists and philosophers have answered
many of the grand questions of life. We can only show that the world
doesn't end when your faith does. | l*****a
发帖数: 38403 | 2 Warnings
Consider how you would respond if someone was attempting to persuade you to
change your beliefs or lack of belief. Be gentle in attempting to persuade a
Christian, as their own beliefs are just as important and central to who
they are as yours are to you. Careful not to turn any attempt to convert
them into an attack, make sure that you are only doing it for their own good.
You may never be able to convert a Christian. Sometimes, trying to do so
will even make them more adamant in their own beliefs.
When talking about deeply-held beliefs, people can often get emotional or
even angry. If possible, try to talk to them when they seem fairly open, and
when you are both in a good mood.
Don't make an attempt each and every time you get together. It becomes
wearying for both of you, and your friend will begin to avoid you, generally
because people don't like to be seen as "conversion projects." Generally,
your most successful argument isn't anything you say, it's just being seen
to be a decent person, a friend who happens not to believe in God(s).
If you mix mostly with other atheists, and someone invites a Christian along
, don't try to belittle their beliefs. You're not their friend, you are not
being nice. It just makes you look like a jerk and so makes atheists look
aggressive and hostile. Similarly, if you see this happen, try to intervene.
If you're in the opposite position, you find yourself surrounded by
Christians trying to convert you, don't engage. Unless you are an expert at
rhetoric, you are fighting the wrong battle. Just get out safely.
Every person is different, even within the same religion. Don't assume that
you know what your friend thinks or believes about something merely because
he or she is a Christian. Instead, ask him or her about it.
Do not aggressively push your beliefs on your friends. No one can be forced
into conversion.
Keep in mind that many Christians may believe that Jesus existed, and that
he was God made man. Therefore making statements like "The only evidence of
Jesus's existence is hearsay," will most likely not sway them.
Remember, many arguments that you have heard against Christianity, or
religion in general, were intended for other atheists, or as polemics. These
aggressive arguments many have amused or reassured you, but are unlikely to
convert someone from their faith. The only time they might help, is to
reassure someone new to atheism that they've made the right decision. |
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