Request from a Christian.

[Pat Mustard]

Notice I never claimed superiority over you? I'm not being shy, i'm saying on topic.

He is being hostile and rude and condescending. I would just ignore. You came here for genuine respectful discussion, not for someone to be a dick to you for no reason.

That's increasingly becoming your answer to people who think differeny than you the last few months. I miss the non-fundy non-condemnatory Catholic Lady, she was cool (plus she was also a reasonable human being).

PS If you read what was writ without prejudice you'll see that dragonspire is the one being rude and hostile.

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I love how Ray Comfort talks about people sinning when he tries to guilt-trip them into believing. If I'm just another cafeteria-style Christian, I'd just sin my ass off and cynically manipulate god by believing in Jesus to save myself from hell, getting both a hedonistically fun life and afterlife. But since I don't subscribe to biblical morality I'm forced to be a good, honest person instead. At least I don't believe in or fear hell.

What would Christianity be without hell?

Still judaism, probably.

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The Spanish and Portuguese wars of colonialism (Spain to convert the heathen, Portugal to get at islam by the back door)

Interesting...
That's not the story of Portuguese colonialism I was sold.
To get at Islam by the back door.... so go around the African continent and arrive at India...uhhh?! wut?!

Well, in a way, that merchant path did strike a blow to the Arab-controlled land path from India/China to Europe.

They looked to go around Africa in the first instance to hook up with Prester John who they thought would help them retake Jerusalem, the Levant and Egypt from the heathen musselmen. It was an attempt to continue the reconquista.

Of course over time that goal morphed into subjugating the African heathen and exploiting them for profit.