tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780326387798511389.post519781435239410601..comments2009-05-17T17:12:05.261-07:00Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822rlee@orangeorb.netBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780326387798511389.post-14628382393369555792009-05-17T17:12:00.000-07:002009-05-17T17:12:00.000-07:00Brian, <br /><br />Thanks for the clarification.<br /><br />Although, that's how it sounded to me.<br /><br />As to playing with skeptics, I don't. <br />I'll pass.Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780326387798511389.post-58085219741847577402009-05-11T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-11T12:47:00.000-07:00Regan,<br /><br />I loved this rebuttal, thank you for writing it. I'm Brian Govatos, the author of the original article. I agree with much of what you wrote, actually. <br /><br />However, something that really stuck out as misunderstood, and I hope you'll permit me to explain, is this:<br /><br />"In fact, Govatos urges, be sympathetic:<br />'I need you to do something that is going to feel absolutely yucky: Sympathize.'<br /><br /><br />In other words, lie."<br /><br />No, definitely NOT lie. I could have elaborated further and explained that I wanted genuine sympathy. Nothing manufactured. That's very important to me. If you can't genuinely sympathize with someone's irrational beliefs, then you really have no reason to try and get them away from said beliefs.<br /><br />I would love to have some kind of forum or back-and-forth about this topic. I think it's an important one among many skeptics... i.e., whether or not it's morally objectionable to sway people... ever. <br /><br />What do you say?<br /><br />Cheers, and thanks again!<br /><br /><br />BrianBrian Govatoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555553740310678514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780326387798511389.post-35852297691202282952009-04-20T03:11:00.000-07:002009-04-20T03:11:00.000-07:00...or that desirable a position, eh?<b>Alfred Lehmberg</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02028589165474437987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2780326387798511389.post-38243104879299646002009-04-19T04:01:00.000-07:002009-04-19T04:01:00.000-07:00Holy frickin' Jesus! <br /><br />Why on earth does anyone think it is that important to sway people to their side?<br /><br />I mean seriously, to make out a plan and include manipulation??? How low does your self esteem have to be to care and spend your time and energy at that pursuit?<br /><br />BTW, if you have to lie and manipulate in order to win someone to your side -- maybe your side isn't very compelling.Lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07650512451759278182noreply@blogger.com