How you use Christianforums.

[Rebecca12]

For non-Christians: Do you read posts on the sections of the forum that are Christian only? Is it frustrating? Interesting? A bit of both? Has the Christianforums changed your opinion of Christian culture at all? In what way?

For Christians: There are sections of the forum that are Christian only that are redundant with the forums open to all, specifically the ethics and morality forum. What motivates you to post in the open areas of the forum? Do you ever feel any benefit from non-Christian posts or posters? Has your view of non-Christians changed, for better or worse?

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

My view of atheists and atheism has completely changed since going on this forum. I use to think maybe God doesn't exist, maybe some random act occurred some time long ago, in a galaxy far away, where nothingness created something which created a star which created all matter. Once I heard atheists argue that it is possible for nothing to be something, I realized when they say nothing they really mean something, and well I lost any faith I had in atheism. As sad as that may make some of my atheist brethren here, I tried to be an atheist, with all my heart and soul, it just wasn't compelling enough. There just wasn't enough evidence. So here I am stuck as a born again christian, trying to find my way on this big ole ball of dirt we call planet earth.

 

[Blackmarch]

I dont peruse where i cannot respond. For that there is wikipedia and various other sites. The only frustration is places where i once was able to interact with people i now cannot... But that matters not; i am a guest not a host.
I find value in honest questions and ideas and points of view and interaction with people.
CF has done little to alter my perception of christianity, religion, or humanity... But on the other hand it has helped solidify it.
It would not be my first choice for outreach to nonchristians.

 

[Reformed2]

I'm new here so to be candid, I'm currently primarily interested in discussions with other believers.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

I'm new here so to be candid, I'm currently primarily interested in discussions with other believers.

As long as you can maintain your 1:1 ratio of posts and likes, everything should go well for you here my friend. For the rest of us, we can only dream about such things;/

 

[SnowyMacie]

For Christians: There are sections of the forum that are Christian only that are redundant with the forums open to all, specifically the ethics and morality forum. What motivates you to post in the open areas of the forum? Do you ever feel any benefit from non-Christian posts or posters? Has your view of non-Christians changed, for better or worse?

I like discussing and debating issues with a variety of perspectives, and I've found that only exists in the open areas of the forum.

 

[cloudyday2]

I often read threads in Christians-only forums when they look interesting. It annoys me that I can't participate in the discussion, but I understand that Christians don't want to be constantly forced to defend or explain their beliefs to non-Christians. Sometimes they probably want to discuss the finer points of Christianity among themselves.

I really wish I could participate in the Christian history forum. That topic is very interesting. However, I can always read what others write.

There are a lot of different kinds of Christians with all different theologies. That is what I have learned at CF.

 

[DaisyDay]

I was surprised to learn that I am not a Christian, being Unitarian, but ok. Christianforums is a place to get to know people who don't think as I do.

Once I heard atheists argue that it is possible for nothing to be something, I realized when they say nothing they really mean something, and well I lost any faith I had in atheism.

What would it even mean to have faith in atheism?

As sad as that may make some of my atheist brethren here, I tried to be an atheist, with all my heart and soul, it just wasn't compelling enough.

Why would you try to be an atheist?

 

[Rebecca12]

My view of atheists and atheism has completely changed since going on this forum. I use to think maybe God doesn't exist, maybe some random act occurred some time long ago, in a galaxy far away, where nothingness created something which created a star which created all matter. Once I heard atheists argue that it is possible for nothing to be something, I realized when they say nothing they really mean something, and well I lost any faith I had in atheism. As sad as that may make some of my atheist brethren here, I tried to be an atheist, with all my heart and soul, it just wasn't compelling enough. There just wasn't enough evidence. So here I am stuck as a born again christian, trying to find my way on this big ole ball of dirt we call planet earth.

Is this sarcasm?

 

[Humble me Lord]

I have only been here since April 17th,
I'm not much on debating politics or theology, I do way more reading in the open forums than posting. I do enjoy praying for others and trying to help new christians with questions, so I mainly stay in the christians only sections.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Is this sarcasm?

Christians don't do sarcasm, I believe that is you guys specialty.

 

[Ron Gurley]

Ecclesiastes 11:1 [ Cast Your Bread on the Waters ]
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

I copy + paste LOTSA Scripture ...the "word of God".

NOT John 3:16 ...nobody will crack a Bible!

Note the difference: eyes =>soul=> SPIRIT

John 3:16 (NASB)

16 "For God so (unconditionally) loved the world (cosmos), that He GAVE His only begotten (not made) Son, that whoever BELIEVES (spirit-led FAITH) in Him (Jesus the Divine Messiah) shall not perish (in the "lake of fire), but have eternal life. (in the heavenly realms)

AND THAT IS WHY I POST: =>OUTREACH!

Note the FOLLOWING ORDER:

Matthew 28: 16-20 ...The Risen Jesus' last Words?...The Great Commission

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
When they SAW Him, ( in His "spirit-body" form) they WORSHIPED Him;(as God!)
but some were doubtful (of what they were SEEING!).

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, (I don't require WORSHIP...I require FOLLOWING!)

"All (spiritual) AUTHORITY has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

(a) GO therefore and

(b) MAKE DISCIPLES of ALL the NATIONS,

(c) baptizing THEM (believing followers) in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (TRI-UNE GOD)

(d) TEACHING them to OBSERVE all that I commanded you; (example and precepts)

and lo, I am with you always (spiritually), even to "the end of the (CHURCH) age"." (age of GRACE)

BUT Christ-following is difficult to live and explain!

2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God were making an appeal THROUGH us;
we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Some "sales" techniques? Listen! God will guide!

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for "one another" in love,

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Colossians 3:12
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

James 1:21 ... in humility receive the "word implanted", which is able to save your souls.

1 Peter 5:5
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;
and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.

 

[Paidiske]

For Christians: There are sections of the forum that are Christian only that are redundant with the forums open to all, specifically the ethics and morality forum. What motivates you to post in the open areas of the forum? Do you ever feel any benefit from non-Christian posts or posters? Has your view of non-Christians changed, for better or worse?

In general, I prefer an open and broad discussion than a more closed one. I definitely feel that being exposed to different ideas and perspectives helps me to grow; even when I don't accept a different point of view, having considered it, and worked out why I don't accept it, means I've done that much more work on what I do accept.

I'm a bit of a veteran of this sort of conversation, though, so CF specifically hasn't changed my view of non-Christians.

 

[ViaCrucis]

For Christians: There are sections of the forum that are Christian only that are redundant with the forums open to all, specifically the ethics and morality forum. What motivates you to post in the open areas of the forum? Do you ever feel any benefit from non-Christian posts or posters? Has your view of non-Christians changed, for better or worse?

I rarely spend much time in the Christians only debate/discussion (e.g. philosophy and ethics, politics, science) because it is largely dominated by certain kinds of Christians with whom I'm likely not going to find common ground; whereas in the open areas there are both Christians and non-Christians with whom I can share a common ground with. By the same token I don't usually visit the Eschatology board in the Christian Theology section, because of the sorts of people who tend to dominate it. I've no problem having an unwelcome opinion and expressing it, but at the same time there is a certain level of frustration when you are constantly feeling like a loner going against the stream.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[essentialsaltes]

Maybe once a month I pop over to see what's going on in the Christian-only evolution/creation folder. Usually not much has happened, and it doesn't look interesting (so, not much different from what the free-for-all e/c section has become, sadly).

I've had previous experience with the former crosswalk forums and, y'know, knowing actual people in real life, so I wouldn't say the experience has changed my opinions much. There is great diversity in Christianity. Maybe being here allows me to see some of the rarer and more curious kinds.

 

[SnowyMacie]

I rarely spend much time in the Christians only debate/discussion (e.g. philosophy and ethics, politics, science) because it is largely dominated by certain kinds of Christians with whom I'm likely not going to find common ground; whereas in the open areas there are both Christians and non-Christians with whom I can share a common ground with. By the same token I don't usually visit the Eschatology board in the Christian Theology section, because of the sorts of people who tend to dominate it. I've no problem having an unwelcome opinion and expressing it, but at the same time there is a certain level of frustration when you are constantly feeling like a loner going against the stream.

-CryptoLutheran

That's true, the "Christians-only" sections are very dominated by fundamentalist and conservative Christians, even more so than the website as a whole (which has a disproportionately high number anyway). It seems, to me, that those issues are definitely more about just confirming beliefs and biases than actual discussion or debate. As a more progressive Christian, I do not feel welcome at all in those areas of the site.

 

[cloudyday2]

That's true, the "Christians-only" sections are very dominated by fundamentalist and conservative Christians...

I wonder why the fundamentalists dominate the Christians-only forums? Here are some possibilities:

1. They feel that the arguments cause them to doubt
   
2. They are made to feel stupid or intolerant for their beliefs
3. They consider non-fundamentalists and non-Christians to be a danger to their purity
4. It is actually the non-fundamentalist Christians who are shunning the fundamentalists by avoiding these closed forums
   
5. Something else?

 

[cloudyday2]

^ BTW, I actually prefer fundamentalist Christians. The non-fundamentalists seem to always try to muddy the waters so they can continue to call themselves Christians instead of facing the implications of sharing the views of secular people. They accept points "a", "t", "h", "e", "i", "s", and "m" but they refuse to put those letters together to spell "atheism".

EDIT: I don't intend to insult liberal Christians of course. Often I am too extreme in stating my opinions and it offends.

 

[Dave-W]

I've had previous experience with the former crosswalk forums

Really? I was on there under the name DaveW. What was your handle?

 

[CrystalDragon]

For non-Christians: Do you read posts on the sections of the forum that are Christian only? Is it frustrating? Interesting? A bit of both? Has the Christianforums changed your opinion of Christian culture at all? In what way?

For Christians: There are sections of the forum that are Christian only that are redundant with the forums open to all, specifically the ethics and morality forum. What motivates you to post in the open areas of the forum? Do you ever feel any benefit from non-Christian posts or posters? Has your view of non-Christians changed, for better or worse?

I post in the more open areas of the forum because it's interesting to hear different points.

Also, I've found that it seems here the atheists are sometimes kinder than the Christians, and some Christians either instill fear and loathing in (Las Vegas, jk) others or some Christians are terrified of hell and the like because of what they hear. I actually at times end up agreeing more with the atheists or agnostics in some respects.

Usually I don't post "by board" though, I just click New Posts and go to any topics I find interesting by their titles.