> >Even if you think that whoever it is you're trying to change could not be more wrong, leave him alone. You really have no way of knowing how he got to that point...
>
> Actually, I have to disagree with this one. It is possible to find out how a person got to their own beliefs...it just takes a very long time and involves talking with that person.
>
> Now, I should note that do talk about my own beliefs a fair amount with a person who have beliefs that, well, differ from my own. And to figure out the "how" and "why" to her beliefs I do end up attacking them, just as she sometimes attacks my beliefs. But, what I believe to be important is the intent of the attacks. I don't attack her beliefs to try and change them. I attack them to try and her to explain them so that I can understand them myself. In fact, I *hate* changing other peoples beliefs as a result of things that I say. I like the other person to think about them and analyze them, yes, but not change them. After all, how can I really understand another person's belief I accidently change it midway though the conversation? That's why I'm glad the faith of the person whom I discuss my beliefs with now is as strong as it is. I can tell her all of my beliefs and even attack hers as much as I want and not have to worry about changing or breaking her beliefs!

That's amazing! That's exactly the way I usually feel when I argue about religion! Being unsure of absolute truth, I try to find it in myself and through arguing with others... And I got one of my friends to stop being a Christian and I felt awful because I no longer had her perspective. I was amazed at how close you got to my feelings. If you ever want to talk religion, e-mail me :)

Melanie

P.s. For those of you who have ever been in a religious debate with me, this is also sort of an apology ;)