Hostage to fear

[Randy Carson]

Are you open to being convinced? Or do you just want me to throw out some more clay pigeons for you???

How's this then; we'll address one issue at a time, that way our argument can be linear and pertinent to the issues that I can be convinced on.  This will work if we both agree not to fork the conversation without granting the other's opinion/proofs the merit it would warrant at least in further discussion, while staying on topic.  Not addressing a single issue out of many does not suggest relent on the other person's part.  Surely we can both agree to that.

Let me start with how I would talk to someone in my own Church if we were having fellowship over beers following liturgy (as men often do at my Church);

The bible mentions belief as though it were a choice.  I've found that my Christian identity is wholly wrapped up in trying (desperately) to believe, when I simply have not been convinced.  A positive affirmation of belief "on" Christ Jesus would be a lie in my case... something that very doctrine prohibits.  What I do believe is that I've made tremendous effort in trying to believe, by investigating the faith.  Without deconstructing this paragraph, please address this over all point; If belief is a choice and there is evidence that this belief is convincing and rational, why hasn't this evidence rationally convinced me to believe?  Especially when I'm not ignorant to it... down to its most specific points.

Here... have the "talking stick".

I'm happy to have a civil discussion. Rather than take over your thread however, which is really about your apparent conversion to atheism, post your question in the "Ask a Catholic" (My thread) and everyone who wants to ignore the conversation can do so more easily.

Sound good?

One point, I'm having one of these "quiet conversations" there with Neimenovic, too, but it shouldn't be to difficult to keep the two trains of thought separated.