benlehman: (Default)
benlehman ([personal profile] benlehman) wrote2008-07-29 02:04 pm

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?

[identity profile] benlehman.livejournal.com 2008-07-29 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't care to talk about how we can't see eye to eye on something.

If you don't care to talk, why talk?

yrs--
--Ben
evilmagnus: (Default)

[personal profile] evilmagnus 2008-07-30 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
He has a beautiful, melodious voice.

[identity profile] drivingblind.livejournal.com 2008-07-30 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
Sigh.

Never mind.