Engaging with Believers

[Brainstormy]

30. Thanks for help, and just to let you know

The responses in our Deep Dive tonight were much oriented toward keeping the dialogue open with family members and close friends. Most of my group are mature atheists--by which I mean they've been "out," settled, confident, declared, whatever you may want call it, non-believers for a long time. [I'm not one of these, therefore have a lot to learn.] But the emphasis tonight seemed to be on what responses/questions might leave open the hope of further dialogue. Interestingly, many of these approaches were questions themselves: Does it matter? Why do you want to know? Why is it important? Do you care? What answer might I give you that would be the wrong one? What would you think of me, if . .. "

Bottom line: Socratic. Lessons from a a great pagan philosopher?