If these resident theists really talk to god..

[Esquilax]

Can Drich just have the ban he's working so very hard on procuring, so that us normal folks can go about our day? I mean, watching the guy tapdance on quicksand is fun for a bit, but we have loved ones!

That I'm sure he'll continue to badmouth if we give him an opening to...

Yes, that's what I was saying. You said that proof doesn't mean you'd automatically worship, which seems like agreement with my position.

Then yes, I agree with your position, if not the spirit it was posted in. My point was that there's nothing disingenuous about having proof but refusing worship, because worship was never a part of the initial claim that most atheists make, and therefore no lie can have taken place.

We'll believe, which is the only thing we said we would do. Worship is a separate conversation, and really, it should happen after we get our proof.

[Cyberman]

I only pointed out that I am being formally repermanded by one of those in power simply because i said something his sensitive ears did not like.

For the last time, you were not reprimanded by "one of those in power". It was a joint staff decision. In other words, action was not taken until a working consensus of staff members had been reached. By all means, query that decision if you have a reason for doing so and feel you can mount a reasonable appeal. But please, do tell us again how I have a personal vendetta against you. We appreciate a laugh.

In fact, while I've got your attention, this is the second time to my knowledge that you've complained of a "formal reprimand". Let's be quite clear on this: what you were subject to was a verbal warning. A formal warning usually comes next, unless the circumstances warrant fast-tracking due process. Is that what you want? Look what happened the last time someone tried to provoke staff intervention - we went immediately to a seven-day ban instead of the first-stage warning they were expecting.

Again if you want the trivial right to censor at will unpopular speech, then just make a rule that says you have that power.

Now ask yourself why we don't have such a rule.

[Mister Agenda]

Besides, atheism is a position of non-belief, not one of denial; we don't believe god exists, and if we had evidence, then we would believe ...

I only wish that were universally true, and it probably does not apply to you. Some atheists are simply contrarians and/or angry at their religious upbringing. No evidence would suffice to make them believe anymore than some believers will drop their faith in response to hack objections to become atheists.

Being angry at one's religious upbringing is not a valid reason to disbelieve plain evidence.

It doesn't strike you at all how utterly convenient the position 'we could do miracles but won't because you wouldn't believe us' is?

I don't even need that much of a miracle. The right words from the right person and I'm back in church, pronto. It may take some time to get to the belief part, but I will do due diligence in trying to convince myself; and am confident that I would be successful. In a couple of years I might be wondering how I ever could have doubted.

But if that comes to pass, I think I'll still uderstand why it's silly to say, 'first, indoctrinate ourself into my religion' as my surefire procedure for getting 'evidence'.

[Drich]

Except you didn't phrase it in a way to make Fidel think.

A challenge to his beliefs is not a challenge for one to think?

You phrased in a way that implied that your beliefs were correct, and that he would be kneeling before your god that you believe in.

Those are not my words. Nor my intent. I was quoting Paul in Phil 2 and again in romans.

You didn't ask "what if" nor did you question how Fidel knew what his father thought.

Fidel told me how he knew this information to be true. He says it in his post. why would I need to question his source material?

You flat out stated that he will bow before your savior when he dies.

Again not what I said. This is what i said concerning Fidel's Father:

When the blackness consumes him, he will cry out maybe not to you, but to God.

This was meant for everyone else:

Rest assured every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

This is meant as a reassureance. (That is why I said be assured) That Fidel's Father cry out to God will not fall upon emptiness.

If your intent was to truly make him think, you're stupider than you come across.

I provided an oppertunity to not only think but to plug in meaning to my words. For those with a hard heart you only see ill will and nastiness, for the one who is not looking for a fight, a question should form.. In What do you mean by this or what do you mean by that?

There was clear intention to evoke an emotional response while sanctimoniously declaring your beliefs to be true.

without doubt My intentions were to bring to the surface the emotions that were fueling this discussion to this point. where it got messy? the uncheck emotions of others who were not orginally apart of the discussion felt that they needed to be heard.

Whining that you just intended people to think outside the box

But that is exactly what happened. You people are not aware of two major points, that you have always brushed over or flat out denied earilier.
1) That you tend to argue a point well past your ablity to defend it with proof or logic.(As per my breaking of the preaching rule)

2)that there is indeed a double standard here on this forum, that protects the majority from fair turn about. (As per my being treated well past the point of human decency and not one of you said boo, in contrast to the netural comment said about Fidel's dad.)

That wasn't my orginal intention but it will do just fine.

The problem is that you can't understand that your beliefs are simply beliefs, and that is how they will come across to others. I believe society would be better off with you locked in a rubber room, but I'm not going to tell you that I've sent the men in white coats to your door.

It won't be too long before enough of you believe that way and it will be so.

[Cyberman]

BUT THERE ARE NO RULES!!!

OH YES THERE ARE!!!!oneoneeleven!!111!!

Maybe it's because most of you are from england??

Racism now? Classy!

Again, no. what I did is ask you to define the problem as you saw it. To which You Stimbo did not even make the effort to do.

What, you mean apart from my very next post after the one you're quoting? To which You Drich did not even make the effort to acknowledge reading.

Then when no effort was made I escaliated the situation by illustrating how what I was being accused of was par for the course when it is the board against a Christian.

There was no need to escaliate the situation. There wasn't even a need to escalate it. Or are you adding flaming to the list of charges?

We all realise you believe that you're being persecuted for your faith, so there's no need to wave it under our noses. Rather inconveniently, however, the facts would tend to work against your martyr complex. The rules have to apply equally to everyone or they apply to no-one. That you don't often see people behaving the way you are doing isn't a reflection on anyone but you. Hint: it's hardly a ringing endorsement.

[Mister Agenda]

When the blackness consumes him, he will cry out maybe not to you, but to God. Rest assured every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

Not one to let a loved one's impending death go by without a zinger for God, eh?

[Silver]

It won't be too long before enough of you believe that way and it will be so.

Please, dear prophet, spew forth some more bile you mistake for wisdom.

[Captain Colostomy]

Christ. I spend one damned morning in bed performing a service call on the wife, and look what I miss.

Please, carry on.

[Kayenneh]

Maybe it's because most of you are from england??

What? You do realize that you're currently talking to a Portuguese, American, English and Finnish moderator, don't you?

[Cyberman]

Christ. I spend one damned morning in bed performing a service call on the wife, and look what I miss.

Please, carry on.

If you like, I don't mind swapping roles with you for a day or three.