idea
Question Everything
why did you decide to hold the beliefs that you do?
neuroscience suggests that:
"human reason is less a tool for figuring out what to do, and more a tool for justifying what we've already decided to do...
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0307377903
As far as this applies to religious apologetics, perhaps the best missionary tools are not rational debate? that we need to focus on the emotion & intuition aspects of decision making - because most people, most of the time, make decisions based on their emotions/intuition (and then use logic to justify their decision).
On the surface, many shy away from emotional appeals because they at first sound illogical, but I think emotions are based on real things for the most part (we get angry for a real reason, we get happy for a real reason etc. etc.) I think much of our gut feelings may come from the light of Christ / from the Holy Spirit too. Yes, it's good to keep your emotions in check, and not to be overly emotional - but it is also bad to be afraid of your emotions, or to ignore them, hide from them...
In any event, the rationalizations/justifications/apologetic type arguments rarely persuade anyone to change their mind, because perhaps decision making on either side really is based on something more than rationalizations... it seems to be based on what we emotionally/intuitively feel is right - id/ego/superego - the angel and devil on your shoulders, and which you are willing to listen to...
I believe we are all led by the same being, and each have the same spiritual light burning within ourselves. Religious conversion is not something that happens through logical debate, but is a process acknowledging/recognizing/following the Spiritual light which is within us.
the question for this thread:
1. How do you connect with your conscience? (meditation, prayer, scripture study, nature hikes, gathering with loved ones, service and charity work). What separates you from your conscience, and how do you fix this? (guilt = separation from conscience, fix this through repentance, and trying to live guilt free by choosing actions that are aligned with our conscience... vs. trying to live guilt free by ignoring/trampling our own conscience)
2. How do you encourage others (who appear to be at odds with their own conscience) to listen to their inner voice, and live according to the dictates of their own conscience?
neuroscience suggests that:
"human reason is less a tool for figuring out what to do, and more a tool for justifying what we've already decided to do...
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0307377903
As far as this applies to religious apologetics, perhaps the best missionary tools are not rational debate? that we need to focus on the emotion & intuition aspects of decision making - because most people, most of the time, make decisions based on their emotions/intuition (and then use logic to justify their decision).
On the surface, many shy away from emotional appeals because they at first sound illogical, but I think emotions are based on real things for the most part (we get angry for a real reason, we get happy for a real reason etc. etc.) I think much of our gut feelings may come from the light of Christ / from the Holy Spirit too. Yes, it's good to keep your emotions in check, and not to be overly emotional - but it is also bad to be afraid of your emotions, or to ignore them, hide from them...
In any event, the rationalizations/justifications/apologetic type arguments rarely persuade anyone to change their mind, because perhaps decision making on either side really is based on something more than rationalizations... it seems to be based on what we emotionally/intuitively feel is right - id/ego/superego - the angel and devil on your shoulders, and which you are willing to listen to...
I believe we are all led by the same being, and each have the same spiritual light burning within ourselves. Religious conversion is not something that happens through logical debate, but is a process acknowledging/recognizing/following the Spiritual light which is within us.
"(Bible Dictionary | C Conscience:Entry)
we are born with a natural capacity to distinguish between right and wrong, due to the light of Christ that is given to every person, D&C 84:44–53. We have a faculty by means of which we can pass judgment on our own conduct, either approving or condemning it, so anticipating the divine judgment on it. This faculty is called conscience. The possession of it at once makes us responsible beings. Like other faculties it needs to be trained, and may be deadened through misuse. "
the question for this thread:
1. How do you connect with your conscience? (meditation, prayer, scripture study, nature hikes, gathering with loved ones, service and charity work). What separates you from your conscience, and how do you fix this? (guilt = separation from conscience, fix this through repentance, and trying to live guilt free by choosing actions that are aligned with our conscience... vs. trying to live guilt free by ignoring/trampling our own conscience)
2. How do you encourage others (who appear to be at odds with their own conscience) to listen to their inner voice, and live according to the dictates of their own conscience?