Love this!. Wen you love the person in front of you, polarizing arguments are often diffused. In these settings, have you ever been able to secure a second conversation, like over coffee or something?
Uh, a guy who teaches at a community college isn't exactly a biology "professor". Not to say he's a bad teacher, he may be a really good one. Most likely, he's not full-time, and the more correct title for him would probably be "instructor". Probably not doing any research and not actively publishing. You talk about him dropping "credentials" (like what? a teaching certificate? actual scientists aren't impressed with credentials, they're impressed with interesting publications that move the field forward - no one cares about credentials), yet you appear to be making your opponent more impressive than he likely is - by calling him a "professor" without making it clear he's probably closer to a high school biology teacher.
That was a very good article. At least you had dialogue with him. He came to you angry and determined to not change his mind about what he believes. He wanted to change your mind or just push his agenda. I find that you cannot really change a mind immediately but at least present a different point of view that they obviously had not thought of at all. I always post what I believe and I do get responses, but I never reply back because they just want to argue and I just want to present a point that may save some ones life.
Thanks, Susan. I've had more experiences in the last few years of seeing people change their minds in one day than I used to. I chalk that up to the increased effectiveness of the arguments we switched to a few years ago, and increased skill in handling conversations. But you're right, most people won't change their mind right away. They take months or more, and that's fair. I rarely change my mind about something in one day, but I've changed my mind about many things after spending enough time researching and reflecting on both sides and their best arguments.
Nice work there, Josh! You are so far ahead of many of us pro-lifers on the nuances of engagement--especially me! I'm impressed and grateful for all the work you've done to get to this point. And I'm glad Monica and Ellen were there with you to also learn more about engagement.
This is so awesome Josh! Thank you for representing pro-life people by truly valuing and respecting every human life. You are an inspiration and encouragement to so many, including myself. :)
This is a serious question (I'd like to know): Do you record such conversations, or how are you able to remember a long sequence like that? Especially if you get into another conversation right away?
It helped that a few people that day asked me how it went, and telling the story helped reinforce the main points. I like to write notes as soon as the conversation is over, although this time I didn't get a chance to do that until early the next morning. I went to Starbucks and did a brain dump of everything I could remember being said, and fleshed out the article later. I haven't recorded conversations because people act differently when they're being recorded. I've never secretly recorded someone even for my own purposes. If there's enough demand, I might record some conversations on Skype with pro-choice people. Then people would get to hear how this works in real-time. But it's less entertaining to most than a conservative talk show interview where the guest is being made fun of and interrupted.
Excellent post. It's nice to hear a biology professor affirm the accuracy of the pictures and recognize the difference between the scientific evidence (which no expert questions) and the philosophical discussion. Also, I love the Common Ground graphics that you insert.
Yes, I think it's a big deal that he affirmed our biology. If he had been more open to listening, I would have liked to ask him questions about the definition of "organism." It just wasn't possible with him. Luckily, there are other biology professors out there. :D
Thanks for this post, Josh. This one and others like it are helping me to re-evaluate the way I approach interactions with pro-choice people. Formerly I had too much a combative mindset, but I think I'm starting to move more towards an engagement mindset instead. I only wish we had more groups in Australia who were as active and instructive as JFA.
Thanks so much, Elizabeth. Comments like this make my day, because my goal is trying to help pro-life people reevaluate their approach. Someone else from Australia commented on this article at my Facebook page. I told him I'd love to do an Australia trip one day and host some trainings. :)
Josh, if you need people to come help train your friends in Australia, count me in! Part of my vision for JFA is to plant regional teams all across the world. I'd love to help in any way I can!
In these settings, have you ever been able to secure a second conversation, like over coffee or something?
But you're right, most people won't change their mind right away. They take months or more, and that's fair. I rarely change my mind about something in one day, but I've changed my mind about many things after spending enough time researching and reflecting on both sides and their best arguments.
options when most people fall between those options!”
What can be in between yes and no?
I haven't recorded conversations because people act differently when they're being recorded. I've never secretly recorded someone even for my own purposes. If there's enough demand, I might record some conversations on Skype with pro-choice people. Then people would get to hear how this works in real-time. But it's less entertaining to most than a conservative talk show interview where the guest is being made fun of and interrupted.
Someone else from Australia commented on this article at my Facebook page. I told him I'd love to do an Australia trip one day and host some trainings. :)