Why Intelligent People FAIL at Changing People's Opinions

[SlothmanJr]

I really like your suggestions for those three types of people, and I understand your point about finding things in common with someone who has a different view.

But I'm not going to make shit up like "I used to be a Christian", I will try to take something positive from someone's belief but not to the point where I'm lying.

[TheUnconventionalRat]

@SlothmanJr I also generally agree that lying should be avoided. The way I look at it, sometimes you have to lie to tell a more important truth. Whether you were a Christian or not has little consequence. Getting a person to listen to your point without prejudice clouding their rationality is more important sometimes. Of course it's up to your own judgement. Deception in these cases can do more harm than good unless you understand when to use it and why.

[SlothmanJr]

@TheUnconventionalRat Hmm, well I don't like that logic. :P

Lying to get people to agree with me would make me no better than the priests who do the same.