Yes, I understand that this is what you believe. I don't dispute this. I have no reason to dispute this... and if you are fine with that, I am fine with it, too. Whatever makes you happy.
But as soon as you try to argue for the basis of this belief... your belief alone is not enough.
You started this thread. You started it by trying to make a point for your belief. You tried to use some kind of argument
independent from your belief. (Simplified: a worldwide religion is more reasonable to consider correct that a limited local or lapsed one.)
We can talk about that. We can debate that. We can weigh the reasons and arguments. Perhaps we might even find some ways to "test" it.
But if all we have is "Well... this is what I believe. I am convinced it is correct" - "Well, that is what I believe. I am convince that I am correct."... then there is no basis for any kind of conversation, much less an exchange or influence of opinions.
You repeatedly asked me to "try". But there is nothing there for me to "try". You haven't given me anything that I could "try".
There is nothing to try, to test. You are already convinced of the results before you have done any test. Any test that I could come up with you would discard, because of your conviction.
I am happy that your problems are solved. I hope everything works out well for you. But I think that apologetics - or just even talking to unbelievers - might not quite be what you are made for.
This now is not meant to attack you. It is just a general observation an reminder.
Eleos1954 ended one of his posts with "May the Lord soften your heart." Another often used phrase to end such a conversation is "I will pray for you."
The gist of it: something should happen to
you, the one I am talking to, to make you more receptive of my words. The problem is with you. I am fine.
How often do you hear "I will pray to God to give me insights of how to talk to you better, so I get make myself better understood."?
I have asked people to do that, repeatedly. Other atheists have done the same, or made similar proposals. But the reaction is always negative... even rejecting. Even insulted and outraged.
They very thought that
I should have to change something, just to make
you understand... preposterous!
This is not a problem limited to Christians, or religious people. But atheists have to work this out for themselves. Think, learn, research, test.
But you, people like you... you are convinced that you have a personal relationship with God. God! Not some random dude at the corner, not some learned guy at university... GOD! The source of all wisdom and goodness and love and life. The one who managed to save your life when you had problems.
Why is it so difficult to simply ask this God: "Please, give me some insights of how to talk to people who do not believe in your existence to make them more receptive."?
- he fixed my life in the course of years and I ended up being a happy person.
