Archive for the ‘Myths’ tag
A ‘de-convert’ battle: the myths debunked
Photo credit:norjam8
I am a “misguided youth,” ignorant of “reality” and “the truth.” I am overflowing with hyper-liberal idealism. Perhaps most amusingly, I am an atheist because it conveniently fits with my selfish desire for sex without “consequences.” Clearly, my parents didn’t raise me right.
The religious critics that responded to my column “Religious favoritism can be taken elsewhere” (Feb. 18) Thanks so much- I really ap wrongly assumed those qualities about me.
The negative letters regarding my previous column on religious favoritism shared one common trait: They were rife with accusations and baseless stereotypes about my beliefs and background.
For one thing, these respondents assumed that I come from a secular vantage point. In fact, I grew up in a household that was, and still is, extremely religious and I attended church and a private Christian school for 12 years.
My approach to Christianity is from a perspective all too familiar with its concepts and values, not one of presumption and ignorance.
That is a common mistake that religious people make when addressing the nonreligious, but it is a dangerous one. It is especially disadvantageous when a convert is addressing someone like me - someone with a history of belief and experience in the church who has come to the conclusion that Christianity is simply false.
“De-converts” pose a particular problem because we go against the notion that belief is immutable and unchanging, and that those who argue against religion are ignorant of its realities.
Below is my refutation of some of the converts’ myths about atheists, “de-converts” and nonbelievers.
