How do you combat a bigot?

be educated and seek out information so you can pose questions and challenge their beliefs effectively, no when to talk and when to walk away, never get violent or allow them to, and never get into that conversation when people are drunk or drinking because if you do someone will likely try to fight someone… or at least in my experience… but if you do at least have some friends around to pull you out of it

 

Well said. I've found the knowing your facts is the most important. Have statistics and things memorized and be educated in certain bible versus that may be used against you or you may use against them..... You can't win if there is not meat to your argument so you must do research. Also, if it turns into a circular argument going nowhere where everything is just being repeated simply walk away as difficult as that may be.

 

I have to agree with both of these, as knowledge, trumps bigots. every time. Please be careful where you choose to discuss it, because bigots are bullies sometimes too and as when a bull gets enraged they stop thinking and just think to attack to make them feel that they are right.

 

Though, in several cases, you cannot count on this person to change how they feel because of a few well-reasoned and supported facts. People don't change if they don't want to. Be careful.

 

I just tell them I don't want to talk to them, and if they continue to harass me, I tell them that I'm prepared to use lethal force if they get within 6 feet of me.

 

Arguing with bigots is pointless. The more stupid you make them look, the more stubborn they get to save face. The best thing to do is laugh at them and tell them that it sucks they are falling behind the times. Then wish them well, nicely, and be on your way. That really irritates them and gets them thinking

 

with a paradox... their lower brain compacity can't handle them.

 

I point out the hypocrisy.

 

I think to combat a bigot you have to be resilient. You have to be able to say a lot of things over and over again because their small brains don't allow them to comprehend even the most simple things at times.

 

Make sure they're aware that they don't represent the vast majority of the population. They truly are quite isolated in their way of thinking. Be open yet firm with them. Don't resort to rage or name-calling. Act as if you pity them.

 

well i haven't done it yet, but i'd go w/ witty sarcasm. 'Nothing can withstand the assault of laughter'

 

You know the term "Don't feed the trolls"? Yeah... Same applies here. If they get a reaction, they're doing their job. If they don't, then they might rethink something. If not, then the whole world isn't about to collapse under 2 people. That's already happening. It's called the Presidential Election.

 

Combat with perfect, unflawed logic. At some point, their stupidity will just embarass them.
Example-
Bigotry: The bible says that homosexuality is WRONG, that's why you shouldn't be allowed to marry!
Logic: Well the bible doesn't apply to everyone, me marrying the person I that I love doesn't intrude on your religious freedoms.
Bigotry: Well this is America, one nation under GOD!
Logic: That was said when there was practically no atheism, almost everyone believed in god in some way or another. This nation was also established for free practice, the separation of church and state was made clear by our founding fathers.
Bigotry: But it's wrong!
Logic: Give me proof from a source other than the bible!
-bigotry obsolete-

At this point, the said bigot might attack physically, this might call for help from others, or if you are trained in the ways of it, martial arts.

 

Give them a big fat gay kiss. That's how.

 

I also like the idea of passive resistance. The extroverted bigots like some religious extremists are well-prepared to argue with you, and arguing with them will only add fuel to the fire. Its almost gauranteed that they won't change their point of view based on what you tell them, so its entirely pointless.

The "innocent" bigots on the other hand, like the ones who say that things are "gay" to describe something displeasing or crappy, need to be questioned and educated about their homophobic remarks.

 

If you have a chance to shut it down with a great one-liner then I'd drop it on them, but if you draw it out, it's just going to get ugly and honestly really isn't worth the time.