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My conversation starter for Atheists
It goes like this.
1) Consider a hypothetical world in which there is a study that conclusively proves that certain aspects of religious practice, or the practice of particular religion, has an immediate benefit to your health. (I'm aware that such studies exist in the real world, but they're flawed. I'm asking you to consider one that, to your eyes, is conclusive.)
a) Okay -> Go to 2.
b) I would never find such studies conclusive, regardless of the methodology or repeated results -> Go to END.
c) I cannot imagine such a world -> Go to END.
2) Now you've imagined this world. Would you take up that religious practice?
a) No, it's a bunch of superstition -> Go to END.
b) No, I barely even eat right anyway -> Go to 3.
c) Yes, of course -> Go to 3.
3) Consider yourself/someone else who purported to be an atheist, but took up this practice. Are they still an atheist?
a) No, duh -> Go to 4
b) Yes, duh -> Go to 4
c) Maybe, it's complicated -> Go to 4
4) Do you consider them more or less rational?
a) Yes, they're helping their health -> Go to End
b) No, they're practicing a superstition -> Go to End
c) Huh. -> Go to End
End) Huh. Isn't that ... interesting?
1) Consider a hypothetical world in which there is a study that conclusively proves that certain aspects of religious practice, or the practice of particular religion, has an immediate benefit to your health. (I'm aware that such studies exist in the real world, but they're flawed. I'm asking you to consider one that, to your eyes, is conclusive.)
a) Okay -> Go to 2.
b) I would never find such studies conclusive, regardless of the methodology or repeated results -> Go to END.
c) I cannot imagine such a world -> Go to END.
2) Now you've imagined this world. Would you take up that religious practice?
a) No, it's a bunch of superstition -> Go to END.
b) No, I barely even eat right anyway -> Go to 3.
c) Yes, of course -> Go to 3.
3) Consider yourself/someone else who purported to be an atheist, but took up this practice. Are they still an atheist?
a) No, duh -> Go to 4
b) Yes, duh -> Go to 4
c) Maybe, it's complicated -> Go to 4
4) Do you consider them more or less rational?
a) Yes, they're helping their health -> Go to End
b) No, they're practicing a superstition -> Go to End
c) Huh. -> Go to End
End) Huh. Isn't that ... interesting?
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Beyond which, I think you're being breathtakingly disingenuous with John, above, by claiming your post topic mentioning atheists has no bearing on whether or not the "test" should be regarded within the context of religion. I call shenanigans!
Granted, I find the kind of aggressive declaration of atheism John practices to be pretty tedious too. Even if I happen to share the atheist's viewpoint.
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If you don't care to talk, why talk?
yrs--
--Ben
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Never mind.
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