(December 7, 2012 at 9:31 am)thesummerqueen Wrote: I miss Ryft. At least his sarcasm was charming. Too bad he had to go fall in love and get a girlfriend and all that other "life" stuff.

I spotted him in chat not too long ago (I think just this past weekend).

(December 7, 2012 at 1:41 pm)Annik Wrote: I spotted him in chat not too long ago (I think just this past weekend).

Quite possibly the most reasonable Christian I have ever met here.

Certainly a good friend to anyone patient enough to get to know him. He's a good man.

[grumbles]

We are talking about the person who spent 2 hours wasting my time in a hangout because he couldn't(refused to) understand that numbers were descriptive...right? Who continued to claim that I couldn't demonstrate that 2+2=4 until I flat out gave up?

(If he ever runs across this: I'm just joking about the girlfriend thing - I'm pleased as peach punch that you're happy. You deserve it, dear heart.)

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[gently swats Rhythm's shoulder]

(December 7, 2012 at 1:45 pm)LastPoet Wrote: Quite possibly the most reasonable Christian I have ever met here.

Agreed and that's a scary indictment of just how batshit the asylum of Christianity is. Let's remember our basis of comparison is Statler, Drich, Undeceived, A-Theist, Elucino, Lucent, et. al.

To his credit, Ryft avoided the denial of science as some on the above list were known to do. I've never heard his views on evolution, for example. Based on his posts, I'm sure he's one of those apologists who tries to accommodate science with his faith. He was rational enough to stick to the field of philosophy, utilizing an advanced vocabulary (peppered with a few choice Latin phrases) and a pompous delivery to obfuscate just how ridiculous his arguments were. He was, I'll admit, a skilled debater. It wasn't often I would catch him telling a lie.

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(December 7, 2012 at 1:48 pm)Rhythm Wrote: [grumbles]

We are talking about the person who spent 2 hours wasting my time in a hangout because he couldn't(refused to) understand that numbers were descriptive...right? Who continued to claim that I couldn't demonstrate that 2+2=4 until I flat out gave up?

He believes in the Trinity. There you go.

Like I said, remember when someone says something relative (such as, "most rational Christian apologist") what the basis of comparison is.

You're correct in your assumption, DP - he did make accommodations for it.

And Rhythm, I don't remember anything about it except you saying he took a shit on the hangout and flapped like a bat out of hell - I think I had passed out due to migraine meds and left you and Tristo to deal with him.

On the other hand, Ryft and I rarely, if ever, discussed religion except to joke. He proved himself a reliable and able friend despite our differences.

Ah yes, ye olde "Death by marriage/girlfriend."


I don't want to defend the worst of the lot, but I think there are a few Christians currently who, though not necessarily Rhodes scholars, and otherwise transfixed by their chosen view of Christianity like deer in the headlights, are otherwise decent folk. I'd count John and Polaris in that, and probably GC as well. (I know, GC? He's not Einstein, but he's a pretty straight shooter; you don't have to watch his hands while he's dealing. [I forget who this is a quote from, but there's an old quote, "The more he talked of his honesty, the faster we counted the spoons."])

I always liked George Carlin's take on that.

"That's why we didn't like Bob Dole. He kept saying 'I'm a plain and honest man.' Bullshit! We liked Bill Clinton because he came out and said 'Hey, I'm full of shit and whaddya think about that?' and we said 'Well at least he's honest.'"

(December 7, 2012 at 2:11 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: To his credit, Ryft avoided the denial of science as some on the above list were known to do. I've never heard his views on evolution, for example.

Well, from what I remember, he doesn't actually deny evolution at least. You can see this in two of his threads at the links below:

Yukon fossils represent a pivotal moment in evolution

65 Million Years With a Creationist


In my opinion, Ryft seemed to be more logical/reasonable than the other Christians you mentioned above (though I know I could be wrong about that). Also - character aside - I think that one of his main strengths in this forum came especially from the fact that he was good with words and that he could write a lot. Of course, that is not to say that he was more rational for that reason alone.

Then again, you probably know him a lot better than I do because I know that you've engaged with him in some long and tireless debates in the past.