Hi
,
When someone speaks on a topic, and if you disagree with that person (especially if you disagree a LOT), what do you do? How do you respond? Here's an easy way to discredit that person (whether you're right or
not!) and walk away feeling good about yourself. Ask the person if he/she has a PhD. in that exact subject they just spoke on. If they don't, then obviously they don't know what they're talking about! Minimally, they're not to be trusted, so you're now conveniently off the hook in terms of needing to grapple with the issue.
This has become a commonly-used tactic. How do I know? Because it's happened to me several times....
1) The first time, I was speaking about dinosaurs in a high school. A student asked me afterwards if I had a PhD on the topic. You guessed the rest! When I challenged the student on the lack of logic of his point of view, he had nothing more to say since
the issue was no longer about the dinosaur subject, but his unwillingness to face facts.
2) The second time came when a man told me that I would be much more believable if I had a PhD., and since I don't have one, I'm really not to be trusted. I asked him if he shares the gospel with anyone. He does. So, I then asked how anyone can trust him since he doesn't
have a doctorate in theology. End of discussion.
3) Another man told me that if I had a doctorate in some theological specialty, I could be trusted. But since I don't, well.... My counter to him was, "So, if I obtained a doctorate at an Islamic University, would that make me trustworthy to you?"
4) I was speaking in California with 4 other speakers at a large church. I had been asked to present Dr. Walter Brown's hydroplate theory, as well as my session on the Grand Canyon based on Dr. Brown's research. I did so....with Dr. Brown himself sitting in the front pew!! (Talk about something making me nervous!) Anyway, there was a complaint about me doing this since I didn't have the "appropriate
credentials".
So....would you like to win an argument? Or at least, sidestep it without appearing to be a coward (while actually being one)? Try this tactic!
