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TwistOneUp

(1,020 posts)
5. I used to volunteer
Thu Feb 1, 2018, 08:17 PM
Feb 2018

I used to volunteer to work the entry gates at a huge street festival here in SF. I had to take away people's beer cans, wine bottles, etc. when they were entering.

Every person that had a proscribed beverage treated it like it was The Last One In The World. That's when I learned *never try to separate a user from their substance*.

The "true believers" are addicts. Without their belief system they are certain they will DIE. And their deity is so important, it Must Be Shared with others!

As Robert Pirsig stated in Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Mainfenance, "the louder and stronger the believer shouts at you that you must believe, the more insecure their belief. What they are really after is for you to agree with them and tell them that they are right, so as to buttress their belief and help dispel their insecurity and doubts." (not verbatim)

So be aware you're arguing with an insecure, doubt-ridden addict.

hth

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Engaging with Believers [View all] Brainstormy Feb 2018 OP
I don't try to "convert" believers. Mr.Bill Feb 2018 #1
I get that Brainstormy Feb 2018 #17
I feel no compunction to explain why I'm an atheist. procon Feb 2018 #2
I really appreciate the sincerity part, but Brainstormy Feb 2018 #4
Why do you feel the need to engage anyone? procon Feb 2018 #7
True. but surely there are times Brainstormy Feb 2018 #11
No. It really isn't. procon Feb 2018 #19
Ok, here's to the "you're mad at/hate god" JNelson6563 Feb 2018 #3
Always a cocky smile ... Mariana Feb 2018 #6
Good points. procon Feb 2018 #8
It's funny. But it does work. Brainstormy Feb 2018 #12
I've honestly never used this tactic Brainstormy Feb 2018 #16
Here's a scenario Freelancer Feb 2018 #21
Good post. nm Ferrets are Cool Feb 2018 #26
I used to volunteer TwistOneUp Feb 2018 #5
That is SO true Brainstormy Feb 2018 #13
I never do Timewas Feb 2018 #9
true. but you're lucky if it never comes up Brainstormy Feb 2018 #14
Last one to ask Timewas Feb 2018 #18
A woman in TX TwistOneUp Feb 2018 #20
I like to quote Jesus to them. safeinOhio Feb 2018 #10
So, what's your fav Jesus quote? n/t Brainstormy Feb 2018 #15
Here's an idea... Freelancer Feb 2018 #22
You better put a time limit on the pitch. Mariana Feb 2018 #23
LOL. Too true. -nt Freelancer Feb 2018 #25
On the Internet, I am very confrontational with certain believers. trotsky Feb 2018 #24
I tell the truth. Iggo Feb 2018 #27
Interesting concept, the truth. Brainstormy Feb 2018 #28
Regarding this particular subject, I'm a lot nicer here than I am in person. Iggo Feb 2018 #29
My latest response to why I don't believe was that I've seen lindysalsagal Feb 2018 #31
Thanks for help, and just to let you know Brainstormy Feb 2018 #30
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»Engaging with Believers»Reply #5