A small thanks to the resident Theists..

[Godscreated]

If you're going to practice argument ad nauseum, then you had better be prepared to explain your position every time you present it. Expect the same refutations every time.

It is you and others that practice the nauseating practice of repeatedly asking question that's be answered many, many times, you were not satisfied with the answers the first time and as Christians we're not going to change what we said, so why do you persist?

GC

[max-greece]

I can't resist asking

I've done this before and found myself in a ridicule session, I'm going to do this even though I know there's a session coming, I trust you will not be part of it.

do you think if you didn't ask God directly but went straight to studying scripture you'd get your answer anyway?

There are passage that have easy meanings and can be discerned by most people, yet there are those passages that require much study and the Holy Spirits discernment and it is those I depend on God to help me learn. Then there are subjects that take even more study and God's help to understand, let's call it the big picture. So yes I ask and receive what God wants me to learn and would not if it was not revealed, just like the passage that's in question by some here.

Do you think the answer you get might be different without the direct questioning first?

Yes, because the answer would be base on my own human reasoning, reasoning that lacks the understanding of God's greater plan, this plan must be revealed to us from God through the Holy Spirit.

Also - are you always satisfied with the answers you get?

Yes when I listen to what I'm being taught, God promises truth and truth is what I want. Truth is reality that stands up to test and ridicule, those who test and ridicule can not change the truth no matter how much they think it might.

Do you ever get an answer that disappoints you in some way? Do the answers sometimes raise other questions?

I may not completely understand what has been revealed at the time and you might say I'm not satisfied, disappointed no, how am I to be disappointed in God's truth. Yes sometimes they do, like when I'm not satisfied and I continue to ask and read scripture.

Too many questions - sorry - just trying to understand a bit more of your process.

Like I said, I've done this before and found myself in a ridicule session, and as long as your not part of it I'll answer your questions, I have no problem with sharing as long as others are reasonable.

GC

Apologies for the ridicule to come - I shall not be part of it. I probably should have PM'ed these but I only thought of that now.

Obviously I don't share you faith or belief but I realized not long ago that I really don't understand how people of faith come to their conclusions. I admit I wince a little when you talk about God answering your questions but the point of my questions was not the usual atheist Vs theist thing so I am leaving it alone.

Thanks for the answers. I'll save my ridicule for another thread.

[Captain Colostomy]

...why do you persist?

GC

...why do you? Glutton for punishment? If you know you're not changing your mind, and you see athiests here aren't either...what's the upshot? An insatiable need to defend the indefensible? Hope that one day your eventual nervous collapse will be rewarded by a recent convert? Inserting yourself into a position you are tired of is über masochistic.

[Bad Writer]

If you're going to practice argument ad nauseum, then you had better be prepared to explain your position every time you present it. Expect the same refutations every time.

It is you and others that practice the nauseating practice of repeatedly asking question that's be answered many, many times, you were not satisfied with the answers the first time and as Christians we're not going to change what we said, so why do you persist?

GC

Refuting the easily refutable is...well...easy. Ever thought of changing your approach?

[Doubting Thomas]

And you wonder why I want answer you, being indignant want get you any where with me.

No, you won't answer because you know you'll be shown for making up meanings for bible passages which you find inconvenient.

GC and I'm praying for you.

I'll sacrifice a goat for you. Really, how condescending do you think you need to be?

[catfish]

It is you and others that practice the nauseating practice of repeatedly asking question that's be answered many, many times, you were not satisfied with the answers the first time and as Christians we're not going to change what we said, so why do you persist?

GC

Refuting the easily refutable is...well...easy. Ever thought of changing your approach?

You mean like flipping the burden of proof, denying written words, making shit up and crying "troll" when asked for evidence?

Never tried that, how's it working for you?

[Kitan Etos]

as Christians we're not going to change what we said
GC

That is because you prefer fantasy over reality.

[Heir Apparent]

Hey GC, I have a question. You can answer if you'd like, or ignore it if you'd rather.

If the Bible is the unerring word of god, then why is much of it so open to interpretation and debate? One would think such a perfect being would leave nothing to chance, especially his holy book.

I don't know about you, but when I read an instruction booklet, l prefer it to know what it's telling me.

You mean like flipping the burden of proof, denying written words, making shit up and crying "troll" when asked for evidence?

Never tried that, how's it working for you?

Sounds like something a theist would do.

[Godscreated]

[Jackalope]

If you're going to practice argument ad nauseum, then you had better be prepared to explain your position every time you present it. Expect the same refutations every time.

It is you and others that practice the nauseating practice of repeatedly asking question that's be answered many, many times, you were not satisfied with the answers the first time and as Christians we're not going to change what we said, so why do you persist?

GC

Oh, I don't know. It might have something to do with assumptions you made while answering that were completely irrelevant to the issue at hand, thereby leaving a clear, unequivocal answer unapparent.

Or it could be that you failed to understand what was being asked.

Could be both.