Delusions

[keithpenrod]

I just had a friend message me "I know that the church is true and I know that you know. And nothing you say will ever convince me otherwise" (ok, so that's a paraphrase, but it preserves his meaning). I'm tempted to write back "Well, if you're deluded enough to believe in god, why not continue the delusion by thinking that I still believe too, even though I've made it quite clear that I don't."  I mean, I find it rather ridiculous for someone to claim knowledge about another person's beliefs when they've made it quite clear what their beliefs are.

[OldGit]

I think the most sensible response would be to do nothing - which will probably annoy him more than any argument.

[Tank]

I just love it (not) when people are patronising, arrogant and ignorant enough to either think they know what I'm thinking or worse still try and tell me what I'm thinking. Arseholes every one of them.

[keithpenrod]

I think the most sensible response would be to do nothing - which will probably annoy him more than any argument.

You're probably right. I wish I was sensible enough to simply ignore him. But I think I've still got that "I have to be right" feeling that keeps me arguing. That's something I need to work on.

[xSilverPhinx]

I just had a friend message me "I know that the church is true and I know that you know. And nothing you say will ever convince me otherwise" (ok, so that's a paraphrase, but it preserves his meaning). I'm tempted to write back "Well, if you're deluded enough to believe in god, why not continue the delusion by thinking that I still believe too, even though I've made it quite clear that I don't."  I mean, I find it rather ridiculous for someone to claim knowledge about another person's beliefs when they've made it quite clear what their beliefs are.

I would be tempted to go for a sarcastic answer, along the lines of "sure, you know the secrets of the universe, so it's logical to assume that you also know what I'm thinking. You must be god to know such things... what ever happened to your humility?

I just love it (not) when people are patronising, arrogant and ignorant enough to either think they know what I'm thinking or worse still try and tell me what I'm thinking. Arseholes every one of them.

Yeah, I get that all the time too. They could at least try to be a little more competent at trying to read my mind, at least.

[Guardian85]

The best response to such an assinine comment is a facepalm followed be a loud, wet raspberry.

[keithpenrod]

The best response to such an assinine comment is a facepalm followed be a loud, wet raspberry.

ROFL    So true.

[Stevil]

Freinds respect each other despite their different beliefs.

[xSilverPhinx]

Unless they feel threatened, I think you're getting to him, keithpenrod!

Tell me if that's the case, I need to practitce my mind reading skills somewhere...cavies are hard to come by.

[keithpenrod]

Unless they feel threatened, I think you're getting to him, keithpenrod!

Tell me if that's the case, I need to practitce my mind reading skills somewhere...cavies are hard to come by.

Bahaha.  I don't think he's the only one.  Post enough Hitchens, Penn Jillette, Dawkins, and Sagan on your wall and a good percentage of your religious friends will feel threatened.  I just saw a quote yesterday that said "Being offended is not a defence [sic] - it's the last resort of those without an argument."  -John Dale
I thought about posting that on my wall, but decided against it.

[Siz]

Unless they feel threatened, I think you're getting to him, keithpenrod!

Tell me if that's the case, I need to practitce my mind reading skills somewhere...cavies are hard to come by.

Bahaha.  I don't think he's the only one.  Post enough Hitchens, Penn Jillette, Dawkins, and Sagan on your wall and a good percentage of your religious friends will feel threoatened.  I just saw a quote yesterday that said "Being offended is not a defence [sic] - it's the last resort of those without an argument."  -John Dale
I thought about posting that on my wall, but decided against it.

Brilliant quote. Stolen, thanks.

[Amicale]

Unless they feel threatened, I think you're getting to him, keithpenrod!

Tell me if that's the case, I need to practitce my mind reading skills somewhere...cavies are hard to come by.

Bahaha.  I don't think he's the only one.  Post enough Hitchens, Penn Jillette, Dawkins, and Sagan on your wall and a good percentage of your religious friends will feel threatened.  I just saw a quote yesterday that said "Being offended is not a defence [sic] - it's the last resort of those without an argument."  -John Dale
I thought about posting that on my wall, but decided against it.

What offends someone is the thing they tend to know the least about, and therefore be the most afraid of.

Religious friends and family who claim they know that "deep down inside" I still believe in God, but I'm just angry at him... those are the same folks who get all offended when I post or say something non-theistic, science-related, or in favour of, say, gay marriage. Their offense (anger) is a thin veil for their fear. Fear of what? Fear of the unknown, fear that they just might not be right, fear that someone out there is somehow having a decent life without having to believe in God... lots of stuff.

A friend of mine is going to lose a grandparent in less than a month or two, probably. She often says things like "Jesus is all I have" (which accidentally insults her friends who want to be there for her to support her, as she has us too) or she'll ask stuff like "wouldn't you just TRY to pray for me? He's still listening to you, even if you've fallen away..." (which accidentally assumes that everyone else in the world feels the need for God that she does).

Delusion isn't helpful. If anything, it's harmful. When you're upset, grieving, going through a rough patch in your life... clinging to a comforting fantasy never lets you get THROUGH your problem. It never lets you heal and move on. It gives you a nice story, rather than resources and support for dealing with reality. Sigh.

[Sweetdeath]

Freinds respect each other despite their different beliefs.

Some people just can't.

[Ali]

I agree that a lack of response would be the wisest answer, but I doubt I would have the restraint to do it.  I think I'd be more likely to respond with a text that says something a long the lines of "Oooh, a mind reader eh?  Quick, what am I thinking now?  How about now?  Now?  Now!  Now?"  I'm annoying like that.

[Sandra Craft]

I just had a friend message me "I know that the church is true and I know that you know. And nothing you say will ever convince me otherwise" (ok, so that's a paraphrase, but it preserves his meaning). 

I think Amicale is right that such responses are based in fear -- he's just comforting himself, and that overrules understanding how asinine his statement is.  Me, I'd respond with "I'm fine with whatever makes you feel better", which is kind of snotty in a passive-aggressive way but I can be like that.