(January 23, 2011 at 7:45 am)Matthew Wrote:

(January 23, 2011 at 2:57 am)TheDarkestOfAngels Wrote: What were you before a christian and why did you convert?

I was a nihilist prior to becoming a Christian. I was unable to be a consistent nihilist either rationally or existentially, and God opened my eyes to see that. God pursued me until I admitted that what the Bible teaches about Him and about the world is true.

Are you sure that you were't just hallucinating? That would seem a more reasonable explanation wouldn't it?

(January 23, 2011 at 7:48 am)Darwinian Wrote: Are you sure that you were't just hallucinating? That would seem a more reasonable explanation wouldn't it?

Hallucinating what?

Hallucinating that God was pursuing you until you accepted the bible.

(January 23, 2011 at 7:52 am)Darwinian Wrote: Hallucinating that God was pursuing you until you accepted the bible.

Hallucination has to do with perception. I did not perceive that God was pursuing me. Rather, the repeated experiences of trying and failing to avoid the conclusion I did not want to arrive at certainly gave me the impression that I was not simply wrestling with my own thoughts but with something outside of myself. After my conversion, I understood that something to be God Himself.

(January 23, 2011 at 7:45 am)Matthew Wrote: God pursued me until I admitted that what the Bible teaches about Him and about the world is true.

So god is a stalker as well, I think that deity needs professional help.

Maybe you should've taken out a restraining order on him.

Praise be unto Raptor Jesus.

(January 23, 2011 at 8:07 am)Matthew Wrote: Rather, the repeated experiences of trying and failing to avoid the conclusion I did not want to arrive at

Ah delusion, helping people arrive at whatever conclusion they want for 2000 years.

A big welcome to the forums Matthew. As long as you enjoy intellectual discourse as much as the rest of us, your stay will be a very long one. ^^

(January 23, 2011 at 8:07 am)Matthew Wrote:

(January 23, 2011 at 7:52 am)Darwinian Wrote: Hallucinating that God was pursuing you until you accepted the bible.

Hallucination has to do with perception.

Exactly the point Darwinian was making. ^^ How do you know you didn't hallucinate or perceive the entire experience with god? How do you know you didn't wilfully simulate the exchange out of desperation for answers? I'm not saying you didn't experience something, but all the same, I'm very curious at what stage in your own attempts at rationalising this did you conclude your thinking that this was a god, the Christian God no less, that was trying to interact with you and not some other internal/external factor.

(January 23, 2011 at 8:07 am)Matthew Wrote: Hallucination has to do with perception. I did not perceive that God was pursuing me. Rather, the repeated experiences of trying and failing to avoid the conclusion I did not want to arrive at certainly gave me the impression that I was not simply wrestling with my own thoughts but with something outside of myself. After my conversion, I understood that something to be God Himself.

Hi and welcome to the forums, mate!

Ok, now how do you know with all the experiences that it has to be god? How do you know you aren't suffering from delusion? Do you think it's possible that in your thirst for answers that you went for answers that seemed most appealing to you but were less truthful? Would you consider it possible that your 'want' desires an appealing answer over a more realistic one?
Why god?

(January 23, 2011 at 8:07 am)Matthew Wrote:

(January 23, 2011 at 7:52 am)Darwinian Wrote: Hallucinating that God was pursuing you until you accepted the bible.

Hallucination has to do with perception. I did not perceive that God was pursuing me. Rather, the repeated experiences of trying and failing to avoid the conclusion I did not want to arrive at certainly gave me the impression that I was not simply wrestling with my own thoughts but with something outside of myself. After my conversion, I understood that something to be God Himself.

for sake of the argument let's say you're right. How do you know the GOD you perceived is the one christians thinks that true.

Hi Welsh Cake,

(January 23, 2011 at 8:59 am)Welsh cake Wrote: How do you know you didn't hallucinate or perceive the entire experience with god?

I'll repeat what I said in my last post: "I did not perceive that God was pursuing me. Rather, the repeated experiences of trying and failing to avoid the conclusion I did not want to arrive at certainly gave me the impression that I was not simply wrestling with my own thoughts but with something outside of myself. After my conversion, I understood that something to be God Himself."