Now that just warms my atheist heart

[aprilstarchild]

Story Here!

There was a campaign on buses in England, paid for by a Humanist group, that just says: "There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

Christian groups predictably threw a hissy fit.

Comments

[jenhowell.livejournal.com]

And as to the gay example...

This actually came up the other day on a park bench with a homeless man.

He started in about gay people being a problem. I could have chosen then to end the conversation or judge this person.

But instead I offered my opinion, spoke about my Uncle David in a calm way, and tried not to upset the man I was talking to, but just to listen to him and then he listened to me.

It was quite a civil exchange and when we parted ways, he thanked me for expressing my opinions openly to him about the issue. I don't know if I "changed his mind" per se, but it definitely turned a disagreement and a possible point of alienation into a point of connection.

I think this is possible with all exchanges.

I don't know if I did a good job above with April. I think I got rather too into my arguing. And for that I'm sorry. It's really hard to avoid judgment and the desire to assert rightness is strong, particularly when your evidence is strong. But I really think that often it is more important to reach out to a person with kindness and offer one's opinion non-judgmentally than it is to prove a point.

I've just seen instances where Dawkins and Harris get too caught up in superiority and really divisive statements. I know there are appropriate places for provoking people, but I think it has to be done really carefully and only when nothing else is going to work, and even then, I'm not sure if it does work.

This is more of a "tactics" argument, in other words. Like Vegan Outreach vegans versus PETA vegans.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

But I really think that often it is more important to reach out to a person with kindness and offer one's opinion non-judgmentally than it is to prove a point.

Do you really think you've succeeded there?

[jenhowell.livejournal.com]

Dear April,

I pointed out to Zoe above, that I don't think I always succeed there. I'm sorry if I haven't succeeded in my exchange with you or in other ways.

But just because I'm not good at something, doesn't mean I don't think it's a good value to aim for. If you want to have a discussion about this in person or on the phone or over e-mail, please let me know.

If you want me to stay off this thread, I will. I initially came back just to clarify my position to Zoe, but if it bugs you, I will leave.

I really am doing my best, April. Just like we all are.

Love,
Jen

[ourglasslake.livejournal.com]

A final comment: in my comment to April, I wasn't trying to encapsulate the entire discussion or explain your position. I was pointing out one area where the two of you seemed to be talking about things in a different way.