“Mock them…ridicule them in public.” – Dick Dawk.
How anyone could espouse this, as a strategy to get people to change beliefs that cause no harm, is…well let me speak off the top of my head: this is a bully’s strategy, this is a dishonorable strategy, this is an amazingly antagonistic and fcked up strategy. I’ve been dealing with bullies most of my life. The idea that a RESPECTED PUBLIC FIGURE would advocate bullying is absolutely incredible. Not to mention reprehensible.
So I posted something like that, only maybe 1/100th as strong, believing, as any sane man would, that NOONE would be callous, nasty and just plain stupid enough to SUPPORT it…and I got this:
“Agnostic Atheist Anti-Theist Foundation: Yes, once someone admits they do not use positive evidence and reasoned logic, mocking and ridiculing their ideas and thought processes(es) is the next best way to get people to change their minds. If people used positive evidence and reasoned logic equally in all areas of their lives there would be no need for ridicule.”
I am, quite honestly, in shock. I can’t believe, fully, that you are actually endorsing this.
You’re saying…basically…that you should try to convince someone logically, BUT if that fails, feel absolutely no qualms about ceasing that, and begin insulting them. That…is just plain wrong. It’s intellectual bullying.
It’s also completely illogical. I don’t know if you realize this, but a person’s first response to ridicule is NOT “change”…you’re advocating (potential) Assault, sir (IMPO), and (potential) Disorderly Conduct (IMPO) and for that you should feel ashamed.
“Assault is an act that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent, harmful, or offensive contact.” NOTE: Definition varies, but this is basically the crux of it.
I’ve been dealing with bullies all my life. This is no longer amusing. I am leaving this page, and PLEASE do not contact me, or I shall be invoking the definition above…I don’t like bullies.
Same-Day Edit: Just to be COMPLETELY clear, I am apprehensive that you will send another message (supposedly) “backing up” this one, or ANYONE on your page will do so for you, etc, etc…and such contact I would find offensive. I’m stating that because I want there to be absolutely no doubt as to my feelings on possible contact.
-Puppy >.< Yip!