Josh, Tim, and Rachel Crawford finish their discussion on relational apologetics. In this episode we focus on multiple arguments for doing this as well as 12 practical tips:
- Don’t be a jerk.
- Avoid long public Facebook debates. Start with email but try to eventually move to Skype or in person.
- Don’t think of this as a war. Daniel Cohen at TED: “If argument equals war, then learning equals losing.”
- Be obviously open-minded.
- Don’t think of the other person as your project, or a potential notch for your belt.
- Actively work to break down stereotypes about pro-lifers.
- Understand the value of arguments.
- Don’t just debate issues.
- As far as religion goes, don’t hide your beliefs or pretend like it doesn’t influence your position if it does, but also don’t drown them in a faith discussion if they aren’t interested.
- Allow the person to remain unconvinced.
- It is okay to follow cues and make educated guesses to factor into how you make arguments, but don’t treat even a well-educated guess as hard fact.
- If you’ve talked with them extensively, give them the “inside scoop” into your pro-life work.
Related Links:
- Click here for Josh’s post with links and more embedded videos of Jim Henderson’s interview with Ira Glass.
- Click here for the full interview Joe Rogan did with documentary maker Louis Theroux.
- Click here for more on the Penn Jillette quotation, as well as his fascinating video on how Christians would have to hate the people they don’t try to convert.
- Click here for the full Phil Plait speech at The Amazing Meeting (TAM) that Josh referenced.
- Click here for a shareable version of Tim’s adaptation of 1 Corinthians 13 for pro-life apologists.
