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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?
Re: False Dilemma
I would answer as follows:
1. a - it's conclusive
2. b - start using it
3. c - still an atheist
4. a - still rational
Why? Because the study finds that Correlation does not Imply Causation.
Just because the Buddhist monks discovered a practice that helps them be healthier, doesn't mean it has anything to do with their religion.
The Shinto Japanese lived longer during the Middle Ages because they used ritual Purification and regular bathing as religious practices. Does being clean and dangerous microbe free have health benefits? Yes! Is it a matter of religion or faith? Not really. Can there be such a test where Faith or religion cannot be parsed from the results? No.