Statement of Conversion Fallacy

The logical fallacy of statement of conversion is one of the many smokescreens that are used to cover the fact that the reasoning is based on one of the three fallacies of Agrippa's trilemma. Whenever a logical fallacy is committed, the fallacy has its roots in Agrippa's trilemma. All human thought (without Divine revelation) is based on one of three unhappy possibilities. These three possibilities are infinite regression, circular reasoning, or axiomatic thinking. This problem is known as Agrippa's trilemma. Some have claimed that only logic and math can be known without Divine revelation; however, that is not true. There is no reason to trust either logic or math without Divine revelation. Science is also limited to the pragmatic because of the weakness on human reasoning, which is known as Agrippa's trilemma.

The Statement of Conversion Fallacy occurs when a changed mind is used as proof for something. In sales, this is often taught as the feel, felt, found method. “I know how you feel. I felt the same way, but now I have found . . .” It is not a fallacy to give a testimony of a changed mind. In fact, if you are a Christian, testimony is the spirit of prophecy. Prophecy is the act of allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you, a very important part of the Christian walk. It is a fallacy to say, "I changed my mind; therefore, I am now right, and everyone who believes what I used to believe is wrong." Those who leave one position to take the opposing position often do so based on emotion and often have never really understood the position that they abandoned. Scientists sometimes cross over between the creation and evolution stances later in their lives. They are more likely to have a better understanding of both sides of the issue. When young people make the same conversion between religions or scientific worldviews (Atheism, Christianity, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Evolutionism, Old-Earthism, etc.) they are less likely to have a deep understanding of the religion or science that they are converting from simply because of lack of experience. In fact, among Christians who have converted to something else, you are unlikely to find one who had an intimate relationship with Christ in which they were constantly aware of Christ's moment-by-moment leading and teaching.

Examples of the Statement of Conversion Fallacy

Sandy: "I was a Christian. Then, I realized that nothing I believed was based on any facts, so I became an Atheist."

Rocky: "What are the facts on which you base your Atheism?"

Sandy: "Science and reason, of course."

Rocky: "Science? Can you show me the steps to your experiment that proves the non-existence of God?"

Sandy is not able to give any reason for his conversion that is rational, which is not surprising. There is no rational reason that can be given from the standpoint of an Atheist. Agrippa's Trilemma destroys all secular thinking. If a naturalistic presupposition is any part of the foundation of thought, then Agrippa's Trilemma is in force. It is irrational for an Atheist to say anything about logic, science, reason, or morality. Their worldview excludes these as possibilities.

Note that the statement of conversion is not, in itself, a fallacy. The fact that it is the only proof given for the conclusion is a fallacy. In this case, there is no rational proof that can be given for Sandy's conclusion.

Rocky: "I was an Atheist. Then, I realized that nothing I believed was based on any facts, so I became a Christian."

Sandy: "What are the facts on which you base your Christianity?"

Rocky: "Science and reason, of course."

Sandy: "Science? Can you show me the steps to your experiment that proves the existence of God?"

The statement of conversion is not, in itself, a fallacy. The fact that it is the only proof that Rocky gave for the conclusion is a fallacy. And this is unnecessary for Rocky to resort to fallacy if he would just not be ashamed of Jesus. Christians become intimidated and often fail to give Christ the glory in their lives. Eventually, they can become detached from Jesus and just have a rationalized faith rather than the supernatural faith that is a gift God gives when we acknowledge Him as He is speaking to us.

If anyone becomes a Christian, that is, a follower of Christ, it is not a naturalistic experience. Christ is a person. People follow Christ after they meet Christ and have their minds changed by Christ. Rocky's experience probably started with a realization that he had been lied to in school. He probably realized that all the fake science and philosophy was a terrible lie. Then, he opened his mind to the possibility of the real Christ. He should have said, "The reason that I became a Christian is because I have met with Christ. He came to me and spoke peace into my innermost mind, my heart. Then, I received Him into my heart, and now He leads me and teaches me moment-by-moment."

Fallacy Abuse

The fallacy is not committed when a person with intimate information about both sides of an issue can bring better information to the front.