Posted: Mar 12, 2012 11:10 am
Fallible wrote:Mick wrote:Even if that were true, that is, even if it were bullshit, you need to remember that these are beliefs intimately tied to identity, culture and way of life. These aren't ordinary beliefs, guys. They help make the person who he is-they are part of the individual and culture. Thus, it's unlikely that you can call these beliefs ridiculous without affronting the many of the people themselves. But who wants to do that? There are far more sensitive and respectful ways to go about it.
This is just special pleading. It can be said of any belief that it 'helps make the person who he is'.
It's also just not true. The personality, culture and behaviour (outside of discussion of a few specific topics) of people who undergo deconversion doesn't noticeably change in the typical case. They are in this sense very ordinary beliefs, individuals carry on with or without them.