Persuasion, Boundaries, and Respect in Mixed-Belief Relationships
August 24, 2015
by Galen Broaddus
People often tell me, “Don’t read the comments.” Very often, they’re right, but I can’t help myself. Part of the way that I progressed toward the point I’m at now was by reading the comments and making them myself. So I still read the comments, even though I sometimes regret it.
Sometimes, however, the comments are illustrative.
Take this comment left by Edward Clint (who also happens to blog on the Skeptic Ink Network) on this Friendly Atheist article about relationships between atheists and Christians:
“I think the key is that we both respect each other. I don’t try to convert him and he doesn’t try to convert me.”
I don’t believe the first sentence. Or at least, the specific meaning of “respect” is not the usual one. It seems more likely that, for purposes of the one topic, they set up a demilitarized zone. Engagement is bilaterally forbidden. This might be respect for a boundary, but I doubt it is respect in the sense of genuine admiration.
I do try to persuade people I respect. Usually, they’re the ones worth trying to persuade.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/excommunications/2015/08/persuasion-boundaries-and-respect-in-mixed-belief-relationships/
