Concerned/Trying to Understand the Logic

[Christy4Christ]

I think this is worth repeating. If we do not at least TRY to understand where they are coming from, what kind of a Christian witness can we be?

Michelle

Who said we aren't trying to understand them? I have already said that *I* am concerned with the NEGATIVE outcomes as well as any possible positive ones. I talked to a real live person with a real live soul that now has NO God because a debate that happened there. Apparently a long debate intended to discredit the bible. Did I mention he lost??

Did you also hear me when I said that he originally came here to preach about Jesus?

So you are saying you do not think that is worth taking a second look at? I think it is and I will not apologize for that.

 

[PeterPaul]

This site resembles the world, and as such there are Christians, Jews and Atheists. We should not be concerned with debating, unless we feel we want to. Either way, I wouldn't censor them at all.

 

[Disciple 3]

PeterPaul, no offense, but isn't this board for Christians? If people are sitting at the keyboards saying things like Oh my _____ God, I don't want them here. They blatentley blaspheme the Holy Spirit, it is wrong.

 

[PeterPaul]

So what are you going to do in the real world? This is a reality, ignoring it or censoring it isn't going to make it go away.

 

[Disciple 3]

Yes I know this, But they are doing things like this on a forum called Christian Forums. If they are going to be on a forum owned by a Christian and run by christians they should have tighter guidlines on how they talk about the One True God. I for one, have a real problem with them being able to blaspheme on this forum. Don't you?

 

[nyj]

PeterPaul, no offense, but isn't this board for Christians? If people are sitting at the keyboards saying things like Oh my _____ God, I don't want them here. They blatentley blaspheme the Holy Spirit, it is wrong.

Then report them. Moderators can't catch everything. I like to think I'm uber-human ( not to mention uber-Catholic, right Kenny? ) but I can't read every post of every thread. So report it.

 

[PeterPaul]

I hear it everyday..."Jesus Christ...blah blah blah". This is the world we live in and while I prefer they respect us, since this is a Christian forum, I realize they will still do it no matter where they are. Do I think it shouldn't be done here? I don't think it should be done anywhere, but more than anything Disciple, I pity them.

It's kind of like when you were a kid and someone would say "you're mother". It used to infuriate me to the point of insanity. Now if someone said the same I would feel sorry for them because it means intellect has flown the coup. I wouldn't want to fight them because I'm secure as a person and a son.

True this is a forum. Certainly a Christian one. Absolutely. However, like dictatorships that have censored speech for a higher glory it only made those against the Church more dangerous because they poisoned minds, people associated censorship with evil and people converted right into atheism.

I'm more concerned with the substance of their arguments. Their language won't deter me. Think of it as an exorcist. He hears the foulest things from demons but presses on.

 

[bigsierra]

I'm happy they have their own little icons, so they aren't forced to pick Christian ones. It's always frustrating to see someone with one of the Christian icons clearly going against the teaching of their church.

They are already segregated. No bad language shows up (****). True they can use Jesus name in vain, but we will have to be as strong as Christ, when he hears it. It is sad that some have been lost to them. I pray they find their way back. God isn't done with them yet.

 

[MariaRegina]

Come and visit our parallel thread over in the Ancient Way. Many of you already have.

Why do Christians leave Christianity and deny Christ?

This is not a hot link in compliance with OBOB rules.

It's too bad we cannot have one big thread instead of two covering the same issues.

 

[Debi1967]

So you guys think maybe they are making it up about leading people away?

No I have seen some that have deconverted Christy but realize this, just like you said in the other thread then they were not solid in there beliefs to begin with. .....But it is true that we have had some deconversion on here. What I am saying though is this they are not representing the actual amounts of those that deconvert as opposed to those that are converted because then they know they are losing not winning and on a daily basis.

 

[MariaRegina]

Has anyone done the numbers game? Does Erwin or the Staff know what the real outcome is? I'm hoping that it's a positive outcome, or else Erwin wouldn't allow the GA forum to continue, would he?

 

[Debi1967]

Has anyone done the numbers game? Does Erwin or the Staff know what the real outcome is? I'm hoping that it's a positive outcome, or else Erwin wouldn't allow the GA forum to continue, would he?

I doubt it Erwin keeps pretty close tabs on things around here.....

 

[boramerewrath]

Like I said... General Apologetics is not for everyone. CF has rules about blasphemy, and stuff that is over the top is edited out. I should know, I moderate the forum. I think people need to understand that some of them are very upset about how Christianity has treated them... either while they were Christians or after they became atheists. They sometimes take this out on us. For us, this has to become a situation of turn the other cheek. Also, there are quite a few Christians in General Apologetics who really, IMO, have no business being in there because they're either too rude to the atheists, further alienating them, they argue with other Christians or they just aren't able to convey Christianity in the proper terms to get the atheists to think about it seriously.

Hey here's an idea!

Perhaps it is best that we let the BEST of our representatives access to that sight. People who are recognized by some type of index (ie. a certain amount of posts/blessings/reputations, or combinations of…) and/or recognized by he mods to be strong in apologetics, who are known to speak the truth in gentleness and respect. There is no reason people can't wait a little while before being allowed access to more and more forums.

Maybe even an invite by the mods to participate on that forum....or some type of index to prevent the newer or younger members from ACCIDENTLY falling into that forum.

There is no RIGHT anyone has to have absolute freedom to every forum everywhere. However there are standards, and there IS a responsibility to monitor for some limitations, which of course we all know is happening (which, of course, is why we have mods). And of course, by participating on this forum, we have all agreed to those limitations, or we wouldn’t be participating.

Lets add a little responsibility and accountability to those who would abuse those who are endeavoring to participate in the public square.

 

[PeterPaul]

Parlas Catala?

 

[Ann M]

We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord...except on the Youth & teens board, 'cause then we're just OLD!!

 

[bigsierra]

God got my attention in the GA forum, when I first came here. I won't post here what happened(PM if your interested). But, he got my attention as a direct result of the GA being there. I'm not saying the GA is a healthy place to be, but God can use anything. I don't know why, Atheist would keep coming back here, except they are searching. We have something stronger and real in Christ. I don't think we should let it scare us.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Who said we aren't trying to understand them? I have already said that *I* am concerned with the NEGATIVE outcomes as well as any possible positive ones. I talked to a real live person with a real live soul that now has NO God because a debate that happened there. Apparently a long debate intended to discredit the bible. Did I mention he lost??

Did you also hear me when I said that he originally came here to preach about Jesus?

I know this is a discouraging thing to see, and I do not like it at all when it happens. If you read some of the homepages of the people who are here who have already deconverted (before they came to this board) their stories are similiar. They're Christians who wanted to preach the Gospel and through debate on the internet ended up deconverting. It is a very disheartening thing, I am not saying otherwise.

So you are saying you do not think that is worth taking a second look at? I think it is and I will not apologize for that.

This is something, that if you and others feel strongly about, needs to be taken up with Erwin. I will tell you, it has come up, time and time again and whatever decision he makes, I respect because it's his board.

One thing I would like to add, especially for those who feel strongly that non christians should be censured more strictly or that they should outright not be permitted to be here.... go out onto the web to any other ecumenical 'christian' community and see how welcome Catholics are. See how they feel about us. This is the only Christian board that isn't exclusively Catholic where we are accepted as Christian. Many of those places are very heavy on the edit button when it comes to Catholics, most don't consider us Christians and still others have us labeled in their forums as cults.

So, take that into consideration when making calls about who belongs here and who doesn't.

Michelle

 

[Christy4Christ]

Michelle, I have taken that into consideration. Honestly, I realize how welcome we are here and I appreciate that. I know that Catholic bashing is not allowed here and that makes me very happy. I guess I just feel that Christian bashing shouldn't be allowed either. I am very distressed about this to be honest with you. I have noticed that 90% or maybe even more of the people on that board don't want to hear a thing we have to say. They aren't there to ask questions or learn, they are there to try and deconvert Christians. This has been admitted by several members over there.

One user has this for a user profile and if I told you his user name it would upset you as well because it is directly making fun of Christians..


Birthday:
20th August 1983
Blessings:
908
Location:
Vancouver, WA
Biography:
i am an ex-christian atheist with a message ((Can you figure out what his message is?))
Interests:
i love science, learning, and anti-Christian propaganda
Occupation:
land surveyor
Church:
church?
Ministry:
atheist missionary
Fav. Verse:
Heb 6:4-6 Bible Version: ((You should go and read this verse))
all of them, whatever works
Years as a Christian:
10
Origin of the Life View:
Atheistic Evolution

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

.

 

[Sephania]

If that is his/her favorite verse then there is no reason for them to be here.

My way of thinking is if you aren't for Him, then you are against Him ( Matt 12:30) , I am gladdend to see you all standing up for your L-RD!

Here is a suggestion for that member or that forum for a favorite verse:

Matt 12:36 But I say unto you: that every idle word that men shall speak , they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.