Stump the Christian?

[Crossless2.0]

You don't see an appreciable difference between your experience, where someone disagrees with you and calls you ignorant for that-and frankly, I really do think there's probably more to it than that- and mine, where someone disagrees with me and then tells me straight out that I don't disagree for the reasons I've stated, nor for any legitimate reason, but really just because I hate his god?

I have been accused of being disingenuous. Of not actually believing what I say I believe, or of pretending to my self that I believe something when I really believe differently.

It's whatever. Water under the bridge. Just saying there is plenty of that attitude to go around here from your side as well. At least Randy doesn't use profane, nasty language when he does it.

So Randy doesn't curse when he acts like an arrogant, disingenuous scumbag apologist for a corrupt institution and a ludicrous creed.  Halle-fucking-lujah!  I'm impressed.

[robvalue]

Personally, I don't care what words people use. They are just words. It's the meaning behind the specific use of those words that matters.

My friend can call me a fucking nazi bastard cunt features, and I know they are joking and I laugh along. But if my wife says I'm heartless, and I think she means it, that would utterly destroy me. It would make no difference if she said she I'm fucking heartless and I'm a nob.

If a random person on the street says "fucking nice day!" then I can smile and agree if I detect no malice. If they say "You are worthless", and I think they are serious, then I'd find that appalling.

Just my opinion

[Tonus]

I can't explain why God does not answer every prayer when people call out to Him. He doesn't answer me very often, either. That doesn't really bother me, though...I think Billy Graham and Pope Francis have that same experience. Some folks in this forum say that God NEVER answered them. Maybe that's true...how could I say otherwise?

If god's 'response ratio' is indistinguishable from coincidence or chance, then it is reasonable to assume that he never answers any prayer. If you are raised Christian you are likely to know well the mental conditioning that revolves around the efficacy of prayer. If things go as hoped, god answered the prayer. If they go well in a different way, god answered it as well. If it goes in a way you had hoped to avoid, either god did not answer it or he gave you the answer you needed but didn't want. The best way to guarantee that god will answer your prayer is to make a determined effort to answer it yourself, because the lord helps those who help themselves.

It's mental conditioning: interpret the outcome as part of god's plan no matter what, and you will convince yourself that everything that happens seems to miraculously fit into god's plan. It's a self-reinforcing delusion built on confirmation bias. And yes, we all do it every day in any number of areas of our lives because our brains seek a certain efficiency even if its at the expense of unbiased and critical thinking.