we reach two important findings: (1) the audience for an apology is insiders; (2) its function is to support what the audience already believes.

Or perhaps it is a matter of inferential distance? There is little point in booming religion to atheists. Few will be convinced. Those on the edges, though, and those within who have never really thought about their religion, will be more fertile ground. Think of it as triage: saving those who both need saving, and can be saved.

To what extent are postings such as this apologetics, by this understanding of the word, for rationality? Or the CFAR workshops? Or the Sequences? How many religious folk have been deconverted by reading LessWrong, in proportion to the number who feel like they found what they always believed?

A poll. In the below, read "LessWrong" as meaning LessWrong itself, LessWrong meetups, CFAR workshops, and any similar activities connected with LessWrong. "Religious" means considering oneself a member of a specific named religion, with attendant supernatural beliefs.