If I seem like I'm coming across that way I am sorry and will work on softening my speech. I am rough around the edges I know but I am not trying to purposely be mean to anyone. I just have a very strong different opinion than an atheist! God has made himself so real to me I just can't keep it to myself!
I guess it's an automatic friction between the two opposing sides.
Perhaps if you actually READ what people like Slingblade and others have said, perhaps there would be far less friction. The main problem, though, is not that you hold a different opinion, it's that you're convinced it should be the ONLY opinion, and that our experiences, our lives, our convictions, should hold so little weight. You can soften your tone all you like: It will not change the reality that you choose to ignore the pain you're inflicting on others, and that your arrogance is like a ragged blade against bare flesh.
That you choose to ignore this tells us you're being purposely mean to others. If that's the example of Christianity you want to set, knock yourself out. Just keep in mind, it won't win you any friends here, especially from Christians, and definitely not from someone like Slingblade.
You know, Kathy, it's funny: I'll read a post from someone like jj, who's an atheist, and I can't help but sense a strong element of compassion from him. He's a very kind individual, both in person and on the board. Ditto people like Tim, Fowlsound, Zep, LostAngeles, CFLarsen, and tkingdoll. I count it a privalege to know these people, and others like them. Chances are, if you came here to learn, you might pick up on that. Instead, you come to preach.
Why is that, Kathy? Why do you insist on hitting everyone with this verbal barrage? Especially when it's been pointed out to you that your perpetuation of this is CRUEL?