Thanks Blackout, I see the atheist glasses have not failed to focus poorly.

My take on normalcy (at least in words) would, I think, closely tie to what is acceptable on family TV.
Losty, do think the banter here would fly everywhere?

(February 1, 2015 at 12:17 pm)watchamadoodle Wrote:

(February 1, 2015 at 11:36 am)thesummerqueen Wrote: We used to have several. They got scared off by some ruder members of the forums.

Maybe a sub-forum that prohibits rudeness, derails, etc. would encourage Christians to join and discuss things? For example, I would be curious how those Christians reconcile their beliefs with reality, what parts of the Bible they take literally and what parts they don't take literally, etc. There could be a variety of discussions.

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(February 1, 2015 at 11:57 am)Drich Wrote: Maybe.. They are here, but the nature of the conversations we have here on this site tend to strip the theology and philosophy out of a given topic.

Maybe the reason 'we' seem to be on the fringes is because the threads here all center on the fringes of Christianity and not on theology, history or philosophy.

It's hard for me to judge, but the beliefs you guys profess in your posts are not mainstream Christian theology IMO. In fact you each have distinctly different beliefs. That's o.k. of course.

If you want to have a main stream discussion, I know where lots of what is believed and why. (It's apart of the constant questioning and studying that I appearently never do) Just ask a question and pick a flavor of christianity and I will do my best to outline out line a topic as they would, and give you a response on it. Then We can take that belief and compare to the bible. Which will give you what my take is on a subject.

Without a doubt I make no claims on being mainstream as all the different versions of Christianity yield to a specific religious charter, creed, man, counsel, or commity for their beliefs. My beliefs and understandings while happen to align themselves with a specific church, are mine alone which makes me answerable to God for them. Which whether others realize it or not, we are all in that very same boat.

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(February 1, 2015 at 12:53 pm)FallentoReason Wrote:

(February 1, 2015 at 12:42 pm)professor Wrote: Very interesting.
Who but someone out of the mainstream in Christianity would join AF?
Bad language, extreme hostility, mocking, are not things mainstream people tolerate very well.
I came from dishing out a bit of it in my BC days, so it is no big deal to me, but more normal people are put off by it.

The one thing that is good about AF.org is that it's very lenient on what religious people can say. What I mean is that even the most "outrageous" claims are allowed, so long as the person claiming is then willing to have a sensible discussion about it. I'm pretty sure AF.com (for example) isn't so welcoming to outlandish claims.

The welcome such claims, because it gives them more to mock.. However they are not fans of those who can defend such claims successfully agains their heavy hitters.

They protect their big members. If you can put egg on the big dog's face then your gone no matter what you believe.

(February 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm)professor Wrote: Thanks Blackout, I see the atheist glasses have not failed to focus poorly.

My take on normalcy (at least in words) would, I think, closely tie to what is acceptable on family TV.
Losty, do think the banter here would fly everywhere?

In most places, yes, I do. Have you ever seen the animaniacs? That's a children's show from when I was a child. The children's shows now...yea. Regular tv has most of the stuff we have here.

More to the point. What I said was in jest. Teasing. I'm sorry, I mistakenly thought you would see that. Sorry

(February 1, 2015 at 3:10 pm)Natachan Wrote:

(February 1, 2015 at 11:35 am)watchamadoodle Wrote: I wish there were more mainstream Christians on this forum. The Christian members we have seem to be nice, but their views are on the fringes of Christianity. I have encountered some very knowledgable Christians on other forums who know all about church history, psychology, philosophy, theology, etc. I don't even try to argue with those people, because I know I am out-classed. I wish they would join this forum and have discussions that I could watch.

Has anybody considered inviting Christians to join from other forums?

There lies a problem. Most mainstream Christians are uninterested in discussion of this type. They're fairly tolerant and respectful of atheists and wish no ill will towards them.

It's more of a shake the dust from their feet, and move on to those who can be saved. I have been asked many times, why do I waist my time here with you all by people of all different faiths.. The perception being you all are beyond hope..

I see something different as I came from where many of you are. I was angry and simply did not know any better, till someone explained it to me. Till someone was willing to answer my questions no matter what I asked...

Most of those guys take things at face value, and don't question beyond the point of comperhension. You all question to break or tear down belief. Because they do not question beyond basic comperhension means they are not equipt to answer your questions, as what they believe is not built in such a way to Handel such scrutiny.

Lucky for you, what I believe is, and I am willing to walk that extra mile.

Man, I love when Drich uses the ROFLOL smiley. Am I the only one?

(February 1, 2015 at 3:45 pm)Blackout Wrote:

(February 1, 2015 at 3:34 pm)Losty Wrote: I don't believe you have any business speaking about what is and isn't normal.

What professor means is that most Christians are hypersensitive when it comes to discussing belief in god and their feelings get hurt with the simplest honest question

This is beyond true. If you have a chance just go to a christian forum and look at the appologetics section. These are where Christian debate other christians on what they believe. In some cases one would be hard pressed to identify what was on a christian board and what was posted here. (Subject matter aside.)

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(February 1, 2015 at 4:14 pm)Xeno Wrote: Man, I love when Drich uses the ROFLOL smiley. Am I the only one?

You're welcome.

(February 1, 2015 at 4:01 pm)Drich Wrote: If you want to have a main stream discussion, I know where lots of what is believed and why. (It's apart of the constant questioning and studying that I appearently never do) Just ask a question and pick a flavor of christianity and I will do my best to outline out line a topic as they would, and give you a response on it. Then We can take that belief and compare to the bible. Which will give you what my take is on a subject.

Without a doubt I make no claims on being mainstream as all the different versions of Christianity yield to a specific religious charter, creed, man, counsel, or commity for their beliefs. My beliefs and understandings while happen to align themselves with a specific church, are mine alone which makes me answerable to God for them. Which whether others realize it or not, we are all in that very same boat.

It would be interesting to see how well you can mimic believers from other versions of Christianity. But I wouldn't want you to waste your time that way.

(February 1, 2015 at 4:14 pm)Xeno Wrote: Man, I love when Drich uses the ROFLOL smiley. Am I the only one?

It is that puppet ministry thing. Gotta have a sense of humor.

(February 1, 2015 at 12:42 pm)professor Wrote: Very interesting.
Who but someone out of the mainstream in Christianity would join AF?
Bad language, extreme hostility, mocking, are not things mainstream people tolerate very well.
I came from dishing out a bit of it in my BC days, so it is no big deal to me, but more normal people are put off by it.

I think you underestimate both your own side, and us. Christians who come to this place with a sense of humor and a willingness to engage don't get any of the treatment you list; Jacob was a great example of that.

An actual proper account of the available data shows that it's not christianity that garners rudeness from us. I'll leave it up to you to figure out what the actual cause is.