To theists

[Randy Carson]

Since I don't see the 'New Testament' as either scripture or reportage, 'any of it' sort of covers it.

Of course, there are parts of the work that have a relationship to historical events/persons but the fact that there's a Kings Cross Station doesn't mean there's a wizard called Harry Potter either.

Let's talk about the Hebrew scriptures.

Do you believe that the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob really exists?

[Randy Carson]

I have no interest whatsoever in converting anybody.

Ahhh.... Kaninchen.

I'm glad you decided to join. Some of your responses to our friend on the other forum have made me laugh.

I bet.

Did any of them make you think? See my point?

[Randy Carson]

Ahhh.... Kaninchen.

I'm glad you decided to join. Some of your responses to our friend on the other forum have made me laugh.

While Randy gets upset at what he considers as being insulted and will report you at any opportunity (you can watch him do it on that board's 'Who's Online' feature) he's got no ability to relate to humour on the part of other posters at all.

I have reported very few people over the years, kaninchen. And no, CAF's Who's Online feature does NOT reveal who's reporting who.

0 for two in this post.

[Kaninchen]

Let's talk about the Hebrew scriptures.

Do you believe that the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob really exists?

With all due respect, you don't get to determine whether a conversation takes place or what the subject matter may be (I wouldn't allow you to do that on CAF, never mind here) and  I'm not in the mood for variations on a Jesus sales pitch.

---

[Neo-Scholastic]

Evil?  What is that?

I understand "vile" and other words of disapproval, but what makes a thing evil?

That lack of the good that ought to be there or the perversion of the capacity of good for destructive ends. So in practice, the label evil adheres to people who have forsaken their humanity, those who live without conscience, and those who worship themselves and the earthly pleasures above love of the Lord and neighbor.

[Kaninchen]

I have reported very few people over the years, kaninchen. And no, CAF's Who's Online feature does NOT reveal who's reporting who.

0 for two in this post.

I posted, a couple of minutes later your activity was 'reporting post'.

Apart from one 'hate' post (not against me) that I reported on CAF, I've only reported myself.

[Catholic_Lady]

....
...
The belief is non-existent outside of the believers' minds. Belief defines them, both in action and in thought. I think it important to aknowledge this.

They may not be 'the ones at fault', but they are at fault nevertheless. Choosing to pretend it is not so won't resolve a thing. If you don't confront stupid beliefs they will end up consuming you.

I never judge a person without knowing them. I only judge them based on what I know about them, and only about that.

Confronting beliefs doesn't involve hating on the believer and thereby alienating them, instead it helps to calmly discuss things. Let's say CL is hiding her true self, what do you propose we do about it?

I know you mean well, but please don't suggest that I'm "hiding my true self"... whatever that means.

This is particularly frustrating for me because I've been extremely open about myself... using a real picture of me as the avatar, offering my facebook account information for anyone here who wants to be friends, and probably giving away more aspects of my personal life than I should. The vulnerability doesn't come without some sort of emotional attachment. I feel like ever since I got here I've had to try really hard to prove all sorts of things to you guys... first that I'm not here to convert anyone, and now, that I'm actually the person I'm acting as on here. I'm not trying to paint this as any sort of "persecution" or anything, and I understand why you guys are skeptical of theists on here due to past experiences. But it may be better to try to be a little more open minded about a new person who comes in here with a clean slate and not to make assumptions about them without good reason.

I try not to let things people say on here bother me, but it becomes difficult to do when something I value so much (being open and honest about who I am) is something I'm being accused of lying about, without facts to back up such accusations.

[rado84]

To theists:

Where is your god
Day and night people are dying for him
And you still think he loves us
You need his approval, whatever you do
Tell me where,
Where is your god
Day and night you're dreaming of him
And you wish your dream will come true
You need his approval, whatever you do
Tell me where, where is your god
 
Refrain B:
Where is your god
Where is your god
Where is your god
Where is your god
 
Bridge 1:
You can't see what he's done to you
Now you think you're free
How could you believe in someone like him

P.S. Some of you may recognize where this is from.  

[Neo-Scholastic]

I feel like ever since I got here I've had to try really hard to prove all sorts of things to you guys... first that I'm not here to convert anyone, and now, that I'm actually the person I'm acting as on here. ...to try to be a little more open minded about a new person who comes in here with a clean slate and not to make assumptions about them without good reason.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

[Catholic_Lady]

I feel like ever since I got here I've had to try really hard to prove all sorts of things to you guys... first that I'm not here to convert anyone, and now, that I'm actually the person I'm acting as on here. ...to try to be a little more open minded about a new person who comes in here with a clean slate and not to make assumptions about them without good reason.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

I appreciate your concern, of course. 

To be fair to the members of AF, there have been plenty of people who were very accepting of me from very early on, and/or whom I consider forum friends. This message does not apply to them.