A primer on deconversion and good skepticism
Chris Johnson, of the site I Am an Ex-Mormon , talks about his deconversion. I find this to be a very remarkable and inspiring story that mirrors my own devotion to and deconversion from evangelical Christianity in many ways. After he talks about some of the cognitive dissonance he experienced during his days as a believer, he gives a superb primer on skeptical thinking. I especially love his bit about recognizing our own biases – especially the bias that we all want to be right. He challenges us by saying, "Stop wanting to be right, and start wanting the truth." p.s. – When he's talking about how to test ideas, and gives the example that if your train of logic can be used to prove other similar ideas (he's talking specifically about the idea that praying and feelings can be used to "prove" oneself correct), I couldn't help but be reminded of an old argument William Lane Craig used about the witness of the holy spirit confirming to him the truth