I don't see 'tending to see someone' in a particular way as very similar to 'writing them off'. OK, fair enough; sorry for over-interpreting what you wrote.
I also think that people who are bad at maths are not very good at at leat certain types of thinking. Yes, but I was using mathematical and musical ability as analogies for seeing the evidence, not as analogies for not seeing it. I'm raising the possibility that you and I are the innumerate or tone-deaf or colour-blind ones, and that the thing which other people can see and we can't might be real, rather than a delusion on their part. I try to remain open to that possibility.
Furthermore, I think that acknowledging the fact that there is no convincing evidence is a vital first step in persuading atheists to consider stopping being atheists Doesn't work that way for everyone - I had an atheist friend who I tried to talk to about choosing to believe, and about faith being more about allegiance than intellectual assent, and about choosing to be on Aslan's side even if there isn't an Aslan to lead it; and he's now a type-1 Christian, convinced the evidence is there for anyone to see.
no subject
OK, fair enough; sorry for over-interpreting what you wrote.
I also think that people who are bad at maths are not very good at at leat certain types of thinking.
Yes, but I was using mathematical and musical ability as analogies for seeing the evidence, not as analogies for not seeing it. I'm raising the possibility that you and I are the innumerate or tone-deaf or colour-blind ones, and that the thing which other people can see and we can't might be real, rather than a delusion on their part. I try to remain open to that possibility.
Furthermore, I think that acknowledging the fact that there is no convincing evidence is a vital first step in persuading atheists to consider stopping being atheists
Doesn't work that way for everyone - I had an atheist friend who I tried to talk to about choosing to believe, and about faith being more about allegiance than intellectual assent, and about choosing to be on Aslan's side even if there isn't an Aslan to lead it; and he's now a type-1 Christian, convinced the evidence is there for anyone to see.