Josh McDowell

[frankiej]

I didn't jump on to tear them down.

Well you should have done. Nazis ain't cool bro

[The Grand Nudger]

Look, Salty, it's difficult to be nice while condemning people to hell both literally and figuratively. In passing throughout history, our current times, and of course those not yet born. It doesn't really matter what kind of smile you put on your face, this is tyranny. Does that help you to understand the reaction you got?

[salty]

I respectfully disagree on many points with a Buddhist I know, I respectfully disagree on many points with an atheist I know (in person) and yet, I never once ask for evidence for their beliefs,

Maybe you should start. Would help to cut through the bullshit in life. Please, I'm begging you, tell me what's so absurd or insulting about evidence?

My point is that I don't ask them for evidence, because I'm not trying to convert them to my side, I am trying to understand how they got to where they are, what really changed in their lives because of their faith, but if I want evidence for their claims, I take note of the claims and I look for myself.

[The Grand Nudger]

Excellent, a group of people standing around insulting each other to the very core, giving tacit approval for the myriad indecencies and downright malice that each religion espouses...and no one says a word. Fucking crickets. You'll have to excuse me if that's not a conversation that I feel would be worth having. Theists aren't the only people who get an earful here, so stop with the suffering martyr card.

[salty]

I didn't jump on to tear them down.

Well you should have done. Nazis ain't cool bro

I know Nazi's aren't cool, but this post didn't ask me if I wanted to join a movement, instead it was stating thoughts and opinions, I'm not going to tear someone down for having an opinion, but I may disagree.

[Ace Otana]

but I didn't jump on to tear them down. This is my point: when it comes to a heated debate such as religion or lack of it, you're never going to attract someone with a good opinion if you make it a point to rip every thing down,

Making good points against ideas and belief is something part of a discussion and debate. Your beliefs are very easy to pull apart. There are so many baseless and irrational beliefs. Ripping apart beliefs and arguments have become...routine if you will.

My point is that I don't ask them for evidence, because I'm not trying to convert them to my side,

Doesn't have to have anything to do with conversion attempts. Demanding evidence is to be expected.

[salty]

Look, Salty, it's difficult to be nice while condemning people to hell both literally and figuratively. In passing throughout history, our current times, and of course those not yet born. It doesn't really matter what kind of smile you put on your face, this is tyranny. Does that help you to understand the reaction you got?

Crystal clear. I appreciate this response.

---

Excellent, a group of people standing around insulting each other to the very core, giving tacit approval for the myriad indecencies and downright malice that each religion espouses...and no one says a word. Fucking crickets. You'll have to excuse me if that's not a conversation that I feel would be worth having. Theists aren't the only people who get an earful here, so stop with the suffering martyr card.

I don't need to play the martyr card, I have plenty of other cards I could have played instead. I just appreciate a response that isn't centered on attack. I told you that I saw how other Christians respond to you all, I saw what they said and I wasn't impressed, they came in angry and bent on making people feel inferior. I'm not here for that, I've had plenty of time to try my hand at it.

[The Grand Nudger]

I didn't come into anything Salty, you started posting about ghostly wars and the annihilation of angelic babies. How do you expect me to respond? I have thoughts ffs. You just kept driving the same stuff over and over, ignoring criticism, which is exactly how those theists that you "disliked" operate. First, critically assess your beliefs, and then assess your methods. You'll make a better missionary.

[salty]

but I didn't jump on to tear them down. This is my point: when it comes to a heated debate such as religion or lack of it, you're never going to attract someone with a good opinion if you make it a point to rip every thing down,

Making good points against ideas and belief is something part of a discussion and debate. Your beliefs are very easy to pull apart. There are so many baseless and irrational beliefs. Ripping apart beliefs and arguments have become...routine if you will.

My point is that I don't ask them for evidence, because I'm not trying to convert them to my side,

Doesn't have to have anything to do with conversion attempts. Demanding evidence is to be expected.

I see what you mean now Ace, thank you. I agree they are easy for anyone to pull apart and you all have challenged me, which I appreciate, I needed a kick in the pants, it's just that, I really want to be friends with you guys, because I know that there's more to each of you than this kind of attitude, but how can I express my true thoughts and concerns to a bunch of raving, angry, aggressive people? I can't. I've grown so weary of the little sarcastic kickers at the end of comments, I don't even read most responses. I read Rhythm, I read Search, Sae & sometimes Minimalist, Welsh & Ace, but usually I don't get past Sae.

[The Grand Nudger]

If you simply profess the usefulness of select scriptures in your life, without suggesting that anyone take any of this literaly, you would find a room full of nodding heads (if you left out the nasty bits). We'd still ask you about them, but you could always just say.."I don't believe that those bits have any relevance to our lives."

Voila, a metaphoric and useful christianity, the kind that most people have.

What you are espousing on the other hand is a fundamental and ridiculous christianity. A parody of human belief and thought, that is mocked because it is deserving of mockery.