Preaching to the converted [cc]

I'm getting this comment that I'm 'just preaching to the converted' with increasing regularity — I'd like to nip it in the overgrown bud. Not only does it encourage nothing but apathy and inaction, but on the briefest examination it's shown to be based on clearly flawed premises.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• converted
• apathy
• futility
• transition
• spectrum
• opinion

[COEXISTential]

If nothing else, the perspective of a lifelong atheist, like me, and a converted/deprogrammed ex-Christian like you is going to throw up differences of opinion. As I've point out in a recent video of mine, the mere fact of being an atheist doesn't speak to the epistemology behind that decision.

[TheraminTrees]

@COEXISTential Indeed — I've had many interesting conversations about what people feel these different experiences have given them, which again differs between individuals in each group. All of which diversity serves to highlight the sorry inadequacy of the stereotypical 'angry-with-god' atheist — in itself an oxymoronic concept.

[Aphotic0221]

It isn't true that you are preaching to the converted. It's people like you that stir something, either in those that are undecided, or even those that have decided very much the other way. One of the channels you list on your profile page is Zinnia, and her videos were one of the leading factors in taking me from unquestioning Christian to critically thinking atheist. It's individuals like you that address compelling reasons to reassess our own beliefs.

[TheraminTrees]

@Aphotic0221 Thank you. It's funny but me and a few folks I've spoken to on here have sometimes found that really vociferous theists, who've come at us aggressively, were actually in the throes of great doubt and turmoil because of the fact questions were being offered on YT that they had no answer to — they later come to us privately as atheists, mortified at how they behaved, but I'm just glad they made it through. And Zinnia's great isn't he — great integrity, focus and of course humour.

[DeadlyChinchilla]

Its absolutely NOT true. Without people like you, who gather rational arguments without aggression, I myself may never have questioned my beliefs. I grew up in a religious home, Christianity being The Truth and nothing else was applicable. I was born and bred to further the Christian concept by pumping out good Christian babies, even encouraged to marry young and get started.

Wiithout people who spoke out, that would have been the sum of my life. I'm so thankful people like you SPEAK OUT.

[Everstruggling]

Thanks for such a great video. At one point I was training to be a Catholic priest. I didn't just believe, I BELIEVED in God. If you had met me 20 years ago, you would have been convinced that I was never going to change my mind. If it weren't for people "preaching to the converted" or "wasting their time on people who are never going to change"... I never would have changed. So... yeah... I'm kind of glad people waste their time explaining atheism to people.

[vforvoracious]

@0wetduck0 Definitely agree. But society has always felt an innate need to categorize ourselves (or prove me wrong here?). Can we achieve this level of open-mindedness without being too chaotic?

[0wetduck0]

I feel that atheist are far more sympathetic with the wrong doings happening in the world today than the religious group in society. When you are not burdened with having to keep true to a set of believes you have more freedom to do and think as you like. To make your own decisions. I think this world would be a wonderful place if everyone was made to make up their own mind. I believe people as a whole are good but are often mislead, or unknowingly follow a path that is not their own.

[SAHBfan]

Sadly - being a weary cynic myself - I would have to agree at least in part with the sentiments of the opinion in discussion.

It certainly is good to put the arguments out there... but unfortunately the way youtube is set up tends to encourage trolling & recreational bickering. Alas the stance of youtube as highlighted by events shows how difficult the situation can be. Individuals who want to stifle debate hide behind anonymity, abuse the DMCA & get away with it.

It just isn't a good forum.

[drewnut]

I first started seriously questioning religion with a silly show called ancient aliens. It is an alternate explanation of why we have religion based on the supernatural. With one source critically analyzing religious stories, I began to question the stories in other contexts until I reached where I am today

[Phi1eap]

I really appreciate your thoughts, to shame that you cover in your videos only narrow spectrum such as atheism. I would love to hear something about science, politics, monetary system, art etc from your reasoning, distance perspective.

[JMar1082]

I agree with you and with the other comments, keep making videos. Although I'm not an 'atheist' or whatever term you prefer, I believe in God and love Jesus but I also enjoy the dialogue between opposing views. The difference in beliefs and ideas is what makes us unique. The videos have made me question a lot of my beliefs and why I believe what I believe and have only made my resolve stronger. Have been and will continue to be a subscriber.

[CriticalThought09]

'very healthy, curvacious distributions.' I hope that was intentional :)

[123backinyerface]

Becoming an atheist wasn't that hard of a road to travel for me. I was't pulled into any religion even as a child, I wasn't "Christened", wasn't "Circumcised", and was never made to go to church, pretty lucky to be honest.

I had a far harder time breaking free of the conspiracy shit to tell you the truth, its quite embarrassing to see people that think everything is some sort of conspiracy, knowing I used to be like that too. The mind is so easily infected with irrationality. Handle with care.

[DonnieSeriously]

Another great video. :)

[TheraminTrees]

@COEXISTential LOL