Do we talk up or down to fundies?

I would love to see them try. Unfortunately, that seldom happens and when I can get them to try to explain beyond the simple sound bite, they get nervous and seem to fade away.Maybe once they try to actually explain their belief instead of simply parroting a mantra they begin to see that there is no substance to just taking a fundamental stand?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

True but ...Learning how to learn is actually something often neglected. All too often what happens is the simple presentation of facts to be memorized. This forms the basis of most of what the Christian Cult of Ignorance does and in particular, sources like AIG.We do a lousy job of teaching folk how to learn. We do even worse in encouraging them to practice that skill. We do not teach folk how to test, how to discriminate, how to question, challenge and to think critically about issues.Part of any effort needs to go to the basic skills, towards educating folk on "How to learn" as well as "What to learn."

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Perhaps it can be fixed but it will not be either easy or fast. As long as the Televangelists and the Pastors and the folk at AIG and ICR and Discovery Institute have the bucks rolling in they won't change. Mostly the US education system. Slowly and the same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.The thing to remember is that even though you fail almost every time every once in a while you do get through. And once someone learns how to learn, unless they are dishonest they will never go back to the Christian Cult of Ignorance.What we can do is keep pointing to small basics. Try to stick to one point until it is clear, do not let them do a Gish Gallop or Palm the Pea, do not let them misdirect attention so they can move the dancin goalposts.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Patiently. Hopefully with understanding. True. They usually do run away. But remember that it is folk like that who give you the opportunity to present reasonable and rational material. Don't try to convince the person you are holding the conversation with. Present the best possible argument for your position regardless.Most folk are not dumb and the far larger audience is not the person you are posting with, but the many many lurkers who read but never post.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

You are or I are.I think for the most part "Revelation" is a crock and con game and to become like a child means to be open to learning.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

jar said: to which OC replied:

quote:

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I doubt it. There's a creationist on one board I go to that keeps repeating the same soft tissue argument after being refuted. It's gotten to the point where everyone knows he's a giant liar. However, he goes on a bunch of other forums where he likely has tricked some people. Other then stalking that person every board he goes to and even worse in life, I don't see how to deal with that kind of person.

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I am talking about understanding on our part. You very likely cannot deal with such a person. The best you can do is present your best case for your position on those boards where you participate. Sure, but the Christian Cult of Ignorance pushes new graduates out the door daily. Yes. we certainly are at a disadvantage.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Yeah, there are kiddie boards like that.But we are all ignorant. I know that I learn something here every single day.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Of course there is. Erosion is a pretty complex subject and I am still learning about it.Also remember, there are always three audiences at a minimum in any such discussion. There is the person you are debating, the vast body of folk reading the thread, and the most important one, you. I find that every time I explain something I learn something new as well.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Human and societal norm?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion