Poll: Do you think you can convert a believer?

[Navvan]

There is a difference between thinking someone will change their mind and hoping they will.

I personally don't care what your beliefs are. I do care when misinformation or straight up lies are spread. If you don't know what you're arguing against don't argue against it until you do. I am referring to people like those who argue against Evolution or state that ID or creationism are valid scientific theories and should be taught in a classroom. Don't try to validate your belief in a deity with rationalism as its typically not rational.

 

[rokkolpo]

Yes I believe I can.

And I have.
Depends on how much faith they have and how little they know of their own religion.

 

[Kaymish]

well if they were already beginning to question their beliefs or were a rational person i would not have a bad chance of getting to reject their faith
however many Theists are not rational and have been brain washed and abused so well and for so long that you have to be very good and very lucky to have any chance of even getting them near to star even questioning their beliefs

however that given i would not even bother trying it is not my place to meddle I am still an anti thiest but if people wish to throw their lives away for a story book i will let them, i will let them know what i think and how stupid they are but i will not cry when they dont listen cause well that's what they have been programmed to think and i pity them

 

[shadow_Fox81]

no, i think they need to be let down by whatever it is they believe in.

i knew i wouldn't be buying any halo games again after i heard about the 10th aniversary edition.

and i know catholics who jumped whip when the pope was a dick (i don't remember the specific incident but now they chill in the agnostic belt with me)

 

[Vanalosswen]

Religious to atheist I say you can easily convert somebody. I've done it myself, with myself and a ton of people I know.

Atheist to religious... no way. Never heard of it happen before, except for those ridiculous stories "rocker finds God" stories.

EDIT: Actually I remember Dave Mustaine is a born again Christian, but that doesn't really count, as much as I like his music I have to say he definitely isn't the smartest guy.

I think my favorite example of an atheist to religious is C.S. Lewis. He's written that if it weren't for his Catholic friend J.R.R. Tolkien, he probably would have never become a Christian. So, yeah, it does happen...

OT, I think it depends. I'm personally a searching Christian (I believe in the Judeo-Christian God, but not sure about what rituals I ascribe to yet), but I think the best way to "convert" someone is to live the best example of that religion you can. If they're inclined to think that direction, or find themselves searching, they'll want to find out more. Anything else comes across as too strong-armed to me. And this from someone who wanted to be a missionary once-upon-a...how times change.

 

[GraveeKing]

-snip-If you want to live in a democracy, and want things to be getting better, people have to be bright.-snip-

Well.... I think we're both just misunderstanding each other but this bit kind of worry's me. If you're trying to say religious people are not bright because of your views you are very very wrong sir. In fact in the last year of my secondary school, our top performing student was a Christian, who carry's a bible, disbelieves in evolution and goes to church - and he has straight A*'s and is now currently heading towards university.
Hell, half my class who didn't believe in god were just the average idiot of today. Religion or a lack of it has NO effect on intelligence.

 

[HellRavenx7]

Exactly what scientific evidence contradicts God? (Use LAWS, not theories).