Are 'formers' or 'free thinkers' mistreated?

[TrustAndObey]

Sunrunner, everyone can post on CF now. Atheists can post too as long as they follow each subforum's rules and the general rules of CF.

When we get our subforum all set up we'll have a Main Forum (no debate), a debate section, the Prog/Trad forums, and a Bible Study forum.

It should be interesting.

 

[Sunrunner]

Really? The idea of being able to post anywhere seems so... foreign.

 

[djconklin]

I'm referring to the fact that I get a weekly reminder that I'm allegedly siding with Satan.

Weekly?!? Dang, you are lucky! I didn't even get a b-day card!

Email me and I'll give you my snail mail address--I'd like to see one of these missives.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Really? The idea of being able to post anywhere seems so... foreign.

You're welcome here any time.

 

[tall73]

Night, do Evangelical Adventists believe that scripture is the Word of God?

The only objection that way from evangelicals that I have seen is that they do not like the capital letter W as the Word is a reference to Christ in particular.

But yes, they do believe that the Scriptures are given by God.

 

[djconklin]

The only objection that way from evangelicals that I have seen is that they do not like the capital letter W as the Word is a reference to Christ in particular.

That seems kind of picayune. Christ is the Living Word of whom the written Word testifies. Where's the beef?

 

[NightEternal]

It could be that deep down inside they know they have really chosen the wrong side but since they continue to justify their decisions by rationalizations pride won't let them come back home.

This I do not agree with. I believe most formers studied thier way out and thier efforts were sincere and honest. I have read many of the studies Stan has put up on his website and I can tell you, the man is no slouch when it comes to Bible study.

I may not understand or agree with all of the conclusions they come to, but I will acknowledge that thier decision was not impulsive or overnight. Most leave the church after years of intense soul-searching and painstaking Bible study. Many looked for every avenue or possibilty to stay in and had no intentions of leaving.

They have to go where thier convictions lead them. If you follow your heart and your convictions, you will never be on the 'wrong side'.

 

[djconklin]

This I do not agree with. I believe most formers studied thier way out and thier efforts were sincere and honest.

When a guy claims to be a former SDA and tells me a bald-faced lie about what the church teaches I can assure that they didn't "study" their way out--they wouldn't even know how!

 

[sentipente]

I'm a free thinker, I consider myself to be intelligent (really all I have to base that on is my grades at school)....but I don't feel the need to get into a debate about whose interpretation is "smarter".

That is not the criterion. A "convenient" interpretation says the interpreter is more concerned with the position he is trying to defend than with truth.

 

[Xenon]

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When a guy claims to be a former SDA and tells me a bald-faced lie about what the church teaches I can assure that they didn't "study" their way out--they wouldn't even know how!

I have a friend who "studied his way out". According to him, he had read the Bible and, seeing all the ways that God punished those who sinned, came to the conclusion that God was a tyrant. He is quite well-read on the bible and the various debates, and was on a religious debate show at his college where he did very well.

At the time that he told me about this, I had not yet read the Bible (although I was "religious"), so I was not equipped to argue with him. Knowing what I know now, I wonder how he missed the mercy that God had for those who were against him and condemned those who spoke for him. There are people who come to those conclusions without studying, but it seems that all we can do is ask them to take a second look.

 

[djconklin]

... I wonder how he missed the mercy that God had for those who were against him and condemned those who spoke for him. There are people who come to those conclusions without studying, ...

Right--that's why I said they didn't know how to study. Between ignoring context and failing to look at the whole picture it is now wonder they come up with crazy ideas.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Red, you paid money to join CARM just to get a thrashing? I hear it's pretty bad there.

 

[freeindeed2]

Red, you paid money to join CARM just to get a thrashing? I hear it's pretty bad there.

You do not have to pay money to join. Red tends to cut and paste a lot and doesn't stick around for much discussion. That presents a problem on a 'discussion' board.

There you can openly discuss beliefs and ask questions and post no matter who you are or what your denomination/sectarian background, but you cannot cross the line and make personal attacks against individuals. But posters better make sure they can show from Scripture alone why they believe what they believe. If it's not completely defensible from Scripture alone, it won't stand.

If you believe you already have the truth all figured out, why be afraid to defend it from the Bible alone? Drive-by postings don't contribute much to discussion on a board that's designed for discussion.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Wait, when I tried to join that site to see if it was really as bad as everyone said, I had to pick one of several different "contribution" methods.

The cheapest one was a one-time deduction of $25.

 

[freeindeed2]

Wait, when I tried to join that site to see if it was really as bad as everyone said, I had to pick one of several different "contribution" methods.

The cheapest one was a one-time deduction of $25.

Not to my knowledge. I've referred several to there. I believe (I could be wrong) that anyone can sign up for free. Those who do contribute have added features they can take advantage of, but I don't think you have to pay to join.

Of course, I joined about 6 different forums that invite discussion about SDA doctrines/beliefs over a year and a half ago, so maybe I'm confused. But I have posted almost 3000 posts on CARM and have never heard of anyone having to pay to post. I'll check it out.

God bless.

 

[Sunrunner]

You're welcome here any time.

Thanks. A part of me still feels like an Adventist.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Thanks. A part of me still feels like an Adventist.

That would explain your politeness.

Free, go try to sign up like you're a new member.

I can do it again and copy/paste what it says if you want?

 

[TrustAndObey]

Free, I'm a dork.

I was clicking on "become a member" under "Log in to our schools."

DOH!

 

[reddogs]

You do not have to pay money to join. Red tends to cut and paste a lot and doesn't stick around for much discussion. That presents a problem on a 'discussion' board.

There you can openly discuss beliefs and ask questions and post no matter who you are or what your denomination/sectarian background, but you cannot cross the line and make personal attacks against individuals. But posters better make sure they can show from Scripture alone why they believe what they believe. If it's not completely defensible from Scripture alone, it won't stand.

If you believe you already have the truth all figured out, why be afraid to defend it from the Bible alone? Drive-by postings don't contribute much to discussion on a board that's designed for discussion.

Free, dont tempt me........my body of work shows how I post and how I engage in discussion..

Not a word that you said on me is true....and I will leave it at that....

 

[freeindeed2]

Free, dont tempt me........my body of work shows how I post and how I engage in discussion..

Not a word that you said on me is true....and I will leave it at that....

Uh...yeah...ok.