Arguing with the clueless

[foxmoth at qnet.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29099

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Peg Kerr <pkerr06 at a...> wrote:
  What I'd like to know is, what arguments have any of you found
> to be helpful/useful in shooting down the theory that the books 
are Satanist--or do you find it utterly hopeless to argue with 
people like this because their heads are buried too deeply in the 
sand?

Hi, Peg, I've missed you!


         The way I look at it, some people think about magic the way 
other people think about nuclear power. They take a dim view of 
anyone whom they suspect of promoting it, and they're 
suspicious of any information that doesn't come from a source 
they can trust. 
         You aren't going to get anywhere arguing with your 
co-worker if that's where she's coming from. Besides, nobody 
likes having their ideas "shot down". I'd try for a meaningful
dialogue instead.  It's hard, because I  really enjoy a 
knock-down bang-up argument,  but I've found it's better to listen 
carefully, make sure I understand what I'm being told, and only 
then explain, as calmly and clearly as I can, why I  think 
otherwise.

Pippin