Topic Suggestion: Does atheism have to be a tough sell?

[martinjbaker]

A positive is always an easier sell than a negative. Scott says that he finds Jesus "compelling" which suggests to me that his reason for belief is an emotional one. I suspect that many Christians feel similarly.

Atheists on the other hand, usually argue for their disbelief using a reason and logic process, rather than emotion. "I find the idea of a God unappealing" isn't the usual phrase heard from Atheists.

This emotional connection is so ingrained in the theist that when their beliefs are challenged with reason and logic, they will go to extraordinary lengths to protect it. This either results in having to invent even more wild and irrational assertions or saying "you have to have faith". It's a conversation that goes nowhere.

Since theism claims to have answers and atheism dismisses them, will atheism will always be a tough sell or could it be sold differently to make it more compelling? Are atheists missing a huge trick by using logic rather than emotional arguments against theism?

[NH Baritone]

Emotions remain a vital component of decision making and values attainment for everyone, not just the religious or superstitious.

Unfortunately, folks tend to defend their stances using logic only, shielding from others the feelings that influenced the choosing of their path.

This leaves everyone else scratching their heads over the way a decision that arose primarily from internal fear or pain is justified via a blatantly lame appeal to objective evidence and reason.

You therefore bring up two topics that I think may provide worthwhile C&A episodes: (a) What role do feelings play in faith, evangelism, and the move away from faith? (b) What strategies lead to the greatest likelihood of reducing the presumption of faith in the larger society, thereby clearing the way for open expression of nonbelief without risking employment and social ostracization?

For the latter, Emery may want to invite 2-3 atheists from the forum to broaden the discussion. And if he frames it in a way similar to my wording, Scott may be willing to join in to kibbutz.

[darkumbra]

Emotions remain a vital component of decision making and values attainment for everyone, not just the religious or superstitious.

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NH? The first statement you made is true - and because of that it puzzles me that you DIDN'T add some other topics...

What role DOES emotion play in someone's Atheistic stance? Even if we don't usually admit it - your statement is bang on. Most, if not all decisions are first made emotionally and THEN backed up with logic. It would be very strange to me if Atheism was excluded from that observation.

[NH Baritone]

Emotions remain a vital component of decision making and values attainment for everyone, not just the religious or superstitious.

NH? The first statement you made is true - and because of that it puzzles me that you DIDN'T add some other topics...

What role DOES emotion play in someone's Atheistic stance? Even if we don't usually admit it - your statement is bang on. Most, if not all decisions are first made emotionally and THEN backed up with logic. It would be very strange to me if Atheism was excluded from that observation.

Michael Shermer has just written a book on this topic: The Believing Brain.

And I did mention emotion's role in "moving away from faith." Perhaps you skimmed over that.

[tirtlegrrl]

I know that all of the issues that I have with Christianity (theistic religion in general, but I know xianity the best) are BOTH logical and emotional. In some cases one precipitated the other, and vice versa.

For example: despite all of our family's prayers, my uncle died of liver failure at the age of 40. It was drawn out and horrible. Now, I could understand why God might not give us everything we want, like unlimited jellybeans. But I couldn't imagine a reason that God wouldn't heal my uncle, yet I had heard of "miraculous" healings for other people. And it didn't help that Jesus allegedly said things like "ask and ye shall recieve", "if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'throw thyself into the sea" (I'm paraphrasing a bit) So the fact that my experience of God in reality, and what the "inerrant" Bible actually appeared to say, didn't match up, well, my ability to "just believe"/trust/obey started to disintegrate. An emotional event created an intellectual conundrum which exacerbated the feeling of betrayal...etc.

[humanguy]

I don't understand why an atheist should need to "sell" atheism. What possible purpose could be served by doing that?

As far as I can tell there simply isn't any god around, I've never seen it nor have I ever seen any reason to believe anything religion says about it. But to argue that is rather like arguing my reasons for not playing golf. Golf is a popular game; I don't play golf because, well, I just don't. Never saw any reason to, nor do I ever feel that I'm missing out on something. But if you like golf then that's just great. I'm sure I like some things that wouldn't interest you in the least, things that work for me but might not work for you.

It's when I'm told that my lack of interest in golf will result in bad things happening to me and to everyone else who doesn't care for golf, that's when I smell a colossal rat. Maybe even more than one.