The Gospel

[Dr Adequate]

unfortunately most of them said it was not worth their effort as someone who has chosen to take this atheistic point of view would never be willing to hear anything a Christian had to say.

And, as you can see, those people were ignorant bigoted jerks spewing out nonsense, since we have listened carefully to everything you've said --- over and over, at interminable length.

On the contrary other christians told me I should stop talking to you guys about anything related to Christ, as to you would never be willing to be open to it!

So some of them said you shouldn't talk to us, and "on the contrary" some of them said that you shouldn't talk to us.

Wow, evangelism's not what it used to be, is it?

 

[supercorgi]

Well, I can't understand how you can't see Allah or the other gods. Ask a muslim or jew or buddhist, they can feel things, too. Of course, you'd write it off as imagination, delusion or misinterpretation, but they're just as convinced as you are. Maybe... just maybe... YOU're deluded, too.

No, in her book, they've been seduced by SATAN AND WILL BURN IN HELLFIRE!

 

[Belz...]

No, in her book, they've been seduced by SATAN AND WILL BURN IN HELLFIRE!

Don't invoke my name in vain, puny one.

 

[ceo_esq]

ceo esq seems to know a lot about things that are neither relevant nor interesting.

Be careful not to mistake things belonging to the latter category for things belonging to the former.

Seriously, though, your input is important to us. Please remain on the line and your unpleasantry will be answered in the order in which it was received.

ceo esq also seems intent on dragging us back into the dark ages where, for some reason, he feels comfortable.

Honestly, I have no idea what you mean by any part of that. You've completely invented these supposed intentions and feelings, and attributed them to me.

He's a damned fool christian apologist.

Though I'm possibly both damned and a fool, I'm neither Christian nor an apologist. And taken all together, that's a fairly insulting formulation. What possible justification do you have for saying something like that?

 

[AnotherSillyAlias]

I was enjoying a session on the toilet last night, (this is where I do most of my thinking), and pondering all these religious debates many of us are enjoying here. I asked myself why we do it and what's the point, and I'm not sure I have any sort of definitive answer other than the entertainment value of a good argument.

There are those who prefer to get their answers from mythology and superstition and there are those who prefer science and reason. Sometimes people drift between the two but, generally, people stick to whatever they prefer despite any arguments from the other side so, why argue it?

Regardless of which side you're on, why do you like to argue your case on this particular subject?

No, I'm not interested in why you think you're right, but why you think you need to argue it.

 

[wolfgirl]

Hey slingblade,

Funny that you mention this. About a year ago, I was reading "Demon-Haunted World" during a workbreak when one of my co-workers (born again) said "I didn't know you were in to that"

"Into what?", I asked.

"Satanism, that's a book about the devil.", he stated. (Stated, not inquired).

I just sighed and shook my head

I used to keep my copy of DHW on my desk at my last job, just so that people would see it there and ask me about it. I haven't brought it with me here (though I've been here over three years). I'll have to remember to bring it in. Thanks for the reminder! (I always wonder how anyone could read that book and NOT realize...but alas...)

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

I was enjoying a session on the toilet last night, (this is where I do most of my thinking), and pondering all these religious debates many of us are enjoying here. I asked myself why we do it and what's the point, and I'm not sure I have any sort of definitive answer other than the entertainment value of a good argument.

There are those who prefer to get their answers from mythology and superstition and there are those who prefer science and reason. Sometimes people drift between the two but, generally, people stick to whatever they prefer despite any arguments from the other side so, why argue it?

Regardless of which side you're on, why do you like to argue your case on this particular subject?

No, I'm not interested in why you think you're right, but why you think you need to argue it.

You should start a thread, with this as the OP, else it will get lost in all the noise here.

 

[AnotherSillyAlias]

You should start a thread, with this as the OP, else it will get lost in all the noise here.

Good thinking old chap. (You're not on the toilet are you?)

I might just do that.

OK folks, don't answer my previous post, stayed tuned for a whole new thread.

 

[money]

I've been checking on the "progress" in this thread pretty much every day for a while now, and everytime I click the link, I see the OP and M de C's response, "Not enough car chases."

Just a great, great response. It's not often a joke can make you chuckle every day for a week.

 

[Belz...]

I was enjoying a session on the toilet last night, (this is where I do most of my thinking)

Yeah, me too. For some reason, some of my best ideas came out during these very same sessions. Mayhap, neurones are stimulated by bowel movement.

Is it possible ? More on that, after these messages from our sponsors.

 

[kurious_kathy]

God touched your life and now you believe. Good for you. Why shouldn't we expect the same? Why makes you special that you get a direct feed, whereas we have to hear about from an annoying second hand?

That's why folks like me aren't going to pay any attention to you, Kathy.

Youv'e got a point. I can't expect anyone here to be reached the same way God reached me. But I would hope others are open to find Him like I did. Or should I be telling others He found me?

Anyway there are many intellectuals here and everywhere asking many questions. I am unfortunately not equipt enough to answer some of the questions that others who specialize in apologetics may be able to answer.

I just found this ministry today and it seems they have done a really good job putting things together for people I consider more intellectual than myself.

Have you heard of Ravi Zacharias? here's a link to an article I found today that I found very inspiring.... http://rzim.org/publications/jttran.php?seqid=106

Also when I ventured into the Bibliography section on their website... http://rzim.org/publications/biblio_all.php
I found they have a whole listing of important research and documentations they have put together that some of you might find helpful and interesting.

 

[Kopji]

First, we believe in the authority of Scripture, which is another way of saying that the Bible is God's inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word. It's the ultimate source for knowledge about God, as well as the definitive guide for our daily lives.

http://www.equip.org/essentials/index.asp

Hi Kathy,
The above formulation is a fairly concise representation of your brand of Christianity. We are not stupid so stop patronizing us.

If you came across information counter to the above statement, the information or your understanding of it must be incorrect; otherwise the Bible would lose its status as infallible authority. Please tell us how that stance represents a starting point for any kind of honest dialog.

 

[Belz...]

Have you heard of Ravi Zacharias? here's a link to an article I found today that I found very inspiring.... http://rzim.org/publications/jttran.php?seqid=106

Also when I ventured into the Bibliography section on their website... http://rzim.org/publications/biblio_all.php
I found they have a whole listing of important research and documentations they have put together that some of you might find helpful and interesting.

Kathy, it doesn't matter HOW much these other people preach as well : people like me build their opinions on evidence, not faith. No matter how much you try to appeal to faith, it will fail. What's more, if you try to appeal to evidence, you'll have to face a terrible fact: there is none.

 

[Belz...]

First, we believe in the authority of Scripture, which is another way of saying that the Bible is God's inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word. It's the ultimate source for knowledge about God, as well as the definitive guide for our daily lives.

Then, how do you explain how it contradicts itself ?

 

[slickcat]

Have you heard of Ravi Zacharias? here's a link to an article I found today that I found very inspiring....

No, but I dig Ravi Shankar.

 

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Youv'e got a point. I can't expect anyone here to be reached the same way God reached me. But I would hope others are open to find Him like I did. Or should I be telling others He found me?

I know you regularly ignore anything that doesn't fit into your worldview but I'm going to tell you something. I'm not sure why I'm bothering, I know you'll simply ignore it just like you ignore everything else you don't like but, I've nothing much better to do right now so here goes.

First of all you need to realise something important. We really can't go past this point until you come to grips with it. This forum is populated mostly, but not exclusively, by skeptics. Most, but not all, of the people here do not believe any god(s) exist, including yours. Do you understand the implications of this? Think about it.

OK, now, ask yourself why you are here. Are you trying to convince or convert the unbelievers? Is this what your mission is? If so, can you see any reason why you have been so spectacularly unsuccessful?

Really, think about this.

To convince anyone here that you have the answers you are going to have to come up with evidence that is acceptable to the people HERE. Do you understand this?

Can you see that continuing to produce what is considered nonsense here you are very successfully achieving the EXACT OPPOSITE of what you want?

If you are not here to convince and convert, I'd be very interested to hear what it is you think you are doing.

 

[bobcarp]

Why is the gospel such an offense to people?

From Dictionary.com
Gospel: "Something, such as an idea or principle, accepted as unquestionably true: My parents' rules were gospel."

It's only "Gospel" if you believe it as true. It's "Gospel" to me that the earth is round. It's "Gospel" to me that H2O evaporates and collects in the sky to form clouds. It's "Gospel" to me that the first 4 books of the new testament CANNOT be proved to be unquestionably true.

"Gospel" is in the eye of the beholder.

I don't get offended by them but it is a little presumptuous for a believer to assume that everyone sees them as "Gospel".

 

[kurious_kathy]

If you are not here to convince and convert, I'd be very interested to hear what it is you think you are doing.

Perhaps I am just pleading with people to not be so skeptical. I think all people have purpose and need to find a healthy balance between the process of critical thinking and the realm of being more optomistic.
Just my two sense but I don't think it's healthy for people to be cynical about philosophy or religion.

I myself grew up in a home where I felt my Dad was too critical and I don't think it was healthy. Being smart and being critical are not the same thing. Isn't life suppose to be about learning and trying to get along with people? Perhaps because I am not a skeptic, I should just quit trying to talk to one? Sorry but I think there is always room for growth in each and everyone of us!

 

[Pauliesonne]

There goes dinner....

 

[Spidey13]

Perhaps I am just pleading with people to not be so skeptical. I think all people have purpose and need to find a healthy balance between the process of critical thinking and the realm of being more optomistic.

Aw, here is the problem. You seem to seem to think critical thinking and optimism are mutually exclusive. Why would you say that? One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

Just my two sense but I don't think it's healthy for people to be cynical about philosophy or religion.

So, should we just believe everything everybody tells us? Should we not be cynical about any religion? Are you cynical of Islam?

I myself grew up in a home where I felt my Dad was too critical and I don't think it was healthy. Being smart and being critical are not the same thing.

I haven't seen anyone here say it is.

Isn't life suppose to be about learning and trying to get along with people?

Yes, it's about learning. Many here are very educated on religion, as you seem to be trying to be. However, they have also studied and read up on the other side of the argument. What books have you read advocating the skeptical and/or atheist viewpoint?

Perhaps because I am not a skeptic, I should just quit trying to talk to one? Sorry but I think there is always room for growth in each and everyone of us!

I have yet to see any in you.


OK, I usually don't get this involved in these discussions, but since many of the members are living it up in Vegas right now (I hate you all!!!), I thought I'd jump in.