@Thevillageatheist: If it was impossible to change other’s world views, there wouldn’t be many atheists. I like to think I am open minded, and that I was then as well. How was I convinced to consider my logic flaw?
I was talking on another forum in a debate about the existence of gods. An atheist I was friendly with asked me what reasons I had that my gods existed. I gave the usual answers of how the universe couldn’t be here without it and I had that feeling when I prayed and all the generic religious nonsense. But he responded only with something to the effect of “You have a lot of these thoughts and feelings about it, but you should consider whether that’s enough. If you are going to live your life in accordance with what a god wants, then you should be absolutely sure it’s really there. Just think about how much evidence there is. If you can’t find any, then ask yourself why you believe. Just think about it.”
And I did. I thought about it. When I realized I had nothing outside my own thoughts and feelings, I began to seriously question. I started demanding more frommy religious community, and demanding more of other theists outside my religion, and when I found they had no more than I did I decided it wasn’t enough and I left it. Not every theist is closed minded, and it isn’t impossible. He didn’t have to write a formal argument, be aggressive, make his case orndefend his position. All he did was be friendly and ask me to think. After a break I went back to the forum and asked him why he was an atheist, and what he did believe about other things, and I was convinced. So yeah, I think its possible. Maybe I am still just an exception, but I don’t see a reason I have to be. I’m not any more special than anyone else.