Emotional Appeal

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- Laika
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Emotional Appeal
OP - December 28, 2010, 01:32 PM

You cannot reason someone out of something they did not reason themselves into.

What do you think of the above statement?

Most Muslims are Muslims because they were born into the religion, and considering that they have invested their entire lives in Islam, it's not surprising that they have a strong emotional attachment to it. Same goes with most converts. We often hear the reasons why they are attracted to Islam are usually based on emotional appeal rather than rational scrutinisation of the religion before converting. That's why they become very defensive when we criticise their religion, and can't seem to think outside the box, or at least they just refuse to, even when we're only talking about simple logic with them.

You know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, lol. Maybe with those kind of Muslims who don't respond well with logical and rational reasonings, we can fall back on some sort of emotional appeal? But how exactly can we do that, if that's even possible, because I think the line is blurry in our case as we still need to reason with them to appeal to their emotions.

With women, it's easier, I think.
"Your husband is allowed to marry again, but you can't!"

Or maybe "Look at your non-Muslim friends! They're going to hell according to your religion. What do you feel about that?!"

"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
~ Douglas Adams
- TheRationalizer
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Re: Emotional Appeal
Reply #1 - December 28, 2010, 01:35 PM

The first thing one should accept when discussing anything with any religious person is that it is impossible to deconvert them. If you set out with this agenda it will affect the way in which you converse with them, and will reduce your ability to influence them greatly.

The best approach I have found has not been to challenge someone's beliefs but instead to get them to explain them to me in a way that makes sense. As they present something I try to show that I understand their claim and why it makes sense....but the problem is this other bit of their religion says something else so now I don't understand how both parts can be right.

In explaining to them why you "just don't get it" it is possible to train them to seek answers in a rational way, and then hopefully they will rationalise themself out of their unfounded belief.

I don't come here any more due to unfair moderation.
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=30785
- Laika
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Re: Emotional Appeal
Reply #2 - December 28, 2010, 01:56 PM

^^ Good advice and something that should be repeated often. They'll get more defensive if they feel attacked. I always forget about that when I get so passionate talking about it, lol. Well, they usually get very emotional first! But I need to always remind myself that the one person that helped me to question my belief in Islam never challenged my beliefs and instead he asked me a lot of questions about my religion in a respectful and curious way and that did train me to seek answers in a rational way.

"He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife."
~ Douglas Adams
- Abdillahi
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Re: Emotional Appeal
Reply #3 - December 28, 2010, 10:25 PM

I don't argue with religious people anymore. They only argument they have is emotional...being a Vulcan i can't engage.

Through Logic, truth can be ascertained.
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