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Here's something that I have learned in the past four years: If someone doesn't care about whether something is true or not (including beliefs) and admit that their primary reason for thinking that is because it comforts them--then there is no reason in wasting your time on that person. This is precisely what happened with two of my family members (I pushed the matter because I care about them). I asked them if they had any good reasons for retaining their beliefs, or good evidence. Of course, after weeding out their bad accuses, feelings, biases, and anecdotes--all they had left was that they want to believe it, not because there was a single grain of truth in any of it. It was difficult for them to admit this until I pointed it out. But at that point, I realized that there was literally no use. If someone does not care about what is true or not, then what point is there in trying to reason with them? I hope I'm saving people some time in writing this. If it boils down to that, then there is no point in reasoning with that person since they have revealed their true colors--that is, admitting that they are an unreasonable person.

AustinSkepticus 7 May 21
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If their beliefs do not hurt anyone or interfere with life, let them have their comfort. My girlfriend likes to say that almost everyone has some sort of magic sand. The magic isn't real, but the sand can help, anyway. For some, it is religion, for others, crystals. Mine is sentimentality. I know mine isn't magic, but I treat some things similarly to "holy" items, and they make me feel better.

That said, if someone's religion causes them to mistreat gays, women, or minorities, then it's a no-go. If it causes aggressive proselytizing, that's a nope. And if it demands special protections it would not afford others, that's gonna be a no.

Most other times, I let people take comfort in a myth.

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Sad, but true.
I deal with the same issues within my own family.

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