On the previous post, I quoted Ebon Musings, and one of the quoted parts was the following:
Consider honestly the possibility that you might be wrong, accept the opposing viewpoint for the sake of argument, and then ask yourself: Does the evidence make more sense from this perspective? Is the world I live in the one I would expect to see if this hypothesis is true, or is this the world I would expect under its negation?
I believe that part is so important that it deserves a post of its own. 
Now, answer me honestly: how often do you do the above? How many times in your life have you stopped to consider an opposing point of view, an opposing theory, hypothesis, or explanation, and actually thought about whether it better explains the universe around you? Whether it is simpler, and you need to come up with fewer rationalizations or exceptions of your own?
Though this is certainly not related just to religion (we could easily apply it to politics, for instance), consider the following example: young earth creationism.
A young earth creationist (YEC), these days, has a lot of explaining to do. He believes in the Bible, literally; to him, it’s, by definition, the absolute truth. Therefore, anything that happens differently, must either be ignored, or explained somehow.
If you know YECs, how many times have you heard “explanations” such as:
- “God made the fossils appear much older to scientific tests in order to test our faith.”
- “When God created the stars, he made it so that the light from them was already arriving at the Earth, and so they appear much older.”
… and so on?
Now, do you believe that an YEC has actually, ever, stopped to think about the opposing point of view? And, sincerely, wondered if that other explanation doesn’t fit reality around him much better, and without the need for so many excuses, exceptions, explanations, and so on? Whether - frighteningly enough - “the other side” might actually be on to something?
I doubt it. 
As I said, this doesn’t apply just to religion. There are many times when we should stop for a minute and consider “the other side”’s position, just to see if it fits with what you see. Stop demonizing your opponent for a moment, and think about his reasons for his viewpoint. You may find out that you’re right… or that you’re wrong. Either way, you learn and improve.
It’s a rare “skill”, though…
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As you say, their point of view is about their faith. Why would they even consider to look at an opposing point of view when to do so is violating the ‘test of faith that God is giving them’? Their obsession about faith overrules their logic, and you’re just wasting your energy on trying to point out to these people what they’re never going to do. As for the rest of us, you’re only preaching to the converted anyway.
I like your blog and your posts and your attitude, but what you’re attempting to do is not being received by those you’re trying to aim your efforts at.
Taoism: the world will be what it wants to be.
Alan: I know. Believe me, I know. But it’s in our nature to dream, to hope… and, besides, not all theists are “unredeemable” fanatics. Some may actually have their own doubts, and… who knows…
Hey, I was a theist (not fundamentalist, though) until about 6 years ago…
Why is it important to you to take someone away from something that gives them comfort? Regardless of how we feel about it - and believe me, I also disagree with religions because of how they promote fear, blind obediance, etc - they still serve a purpose to those people who need something to follow. Yes, a lot of bad things have been done because of religion, but so have a lot of good things.
Religious faith is simply an energy… how that energy is used can be for both good and bad, it’s up to the user. But there are more religious people than non-religious, and many of them see your efforts as proof of the devil trying to subvert their faith. The harder you try, the harder they will resist.
I think there are better things you could be doing with your time, but good luck. We all have a calling, and if this is yours, I wish you all the best.
(Long) answer here.
Anyway, I wouldn’t say this is my “calling”. I write what I write because it pleases me.
I like to think, and to think about the logical consequences of that thinking. I also like to ask questions, and enjoy discussing with people who have something to teach me - that’s why I created the forum, in fact.
And this blog is far from being just about atheism (though I admit that, since I’ve been reading a lot of stuff about atheism and religion recently, a lot about those topics has appeared in my writing): just look at the categories list, at the bottom of the sidebar.