Member-only story
The Psychology of Conversion
Pushing people to accept our values
A few years ago, I had a little chat with the painter hired by my condo association. I have known her for 40 years. She was divorced and raised two kids mostly by herself — and both kids have grown to be well-functioning adults. We should acknowledge that achievement.
She is also a member of an evangelical church in my town.
She inquired: “Dave, are you still a practising Catholic?
I said, “I left that religion many years ago. I am no longer a Christian.”
“But why?” she asked.
“Because too much of the theology does not make sense!” I answered.
At this point, I started wondering if she was interested in hearing about the rationale from someone she has known for 40 years. My mind was quietly arranging my arguments for this discussion.
“Explain to me more,” she said.
“Well there’s quite a few things that bother me about Christianity. It might take a while.”
“That’s OK,” I have the time.”
So I started into Argument #1. I got about three sentences in. Then she interrupted.
“Don’t you know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins?”
