I think an interesting implication of this piece is that instead of arguing about the reality of the experiences of religious people, it would be helpful to empathize with religious people about their experiences, and even use the term “spiritual” if it resonates with them. Saying something like: “oh wow, that must have been really powerful” and sharing a personal euphoric experience might help them be more open to subsequent discussions, and prevent the backfire effect.
I think an interesting implication of this piece is that instead of arguing about the reality of the experiences of religious people, it would be helpful to empathize with religious people about their experiences, and even use the term “spiritual” if it resonates with them. Saying something like: “oh wow, that must have been really powerful” and sharing a personal euphoric experience might help them be more open to subsequent discussions, and prevent the backfire effect.