We need to encourage each other.

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:46 pm

This idea came from the thread about being outnumbered. I think we Christians should feel free to PM another one if we are in a corner in a debate and need a hand or even just encouragement that we are doing right. It is rare that another Christian comes and posts in agreement that I have seen but it is conman for others to "gang up" in a sense.

Goose · Post by **Goose** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:28 pm

Slopeshoulder wrote:Why is it important to prostyletize or evangelize at all? Many religions, and many Christians, refrain from both, taking the position that God loves all and is known only as a glimmer in each. Why not just have good discussions with non-christians, rather than try to win 'em over? Maybe there's more God present in those discussions than in any battles won or lost. I think God cares about faith in a deeper sense than what ideas or formulae one professes to agree to.

I agree with you Slopeshoulder. In my everyday life I wouldn't debate a non-believer or even try to win 'em over. I'd just have a chat. Give them some food for thought and so on. However, this is a debate forum which brings with it an inherent notion of winning and losing arguments. If one is seeking a friendly discussion or evangelistic opportunities I personally don't see this place as the appropriate environment.

Slopeshoulder · Post by **Slopeshoulder** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:46 pm

Goose wrote:
Slopeshoulder wrote:Why is it important to prostyletize or evangelize at all? Many religions, and many Christians, refrain from both, taking the position that God loves all and is known only as a glimmer in each. Why not just have good discussions with non-christians, rather than try to win 'em over? Maybe there's more God present in those discussions than in any battles won or lost. I think God cares about faith in a deeper sense than what ideas or formulae one professes to agree to.
I agree with you Slopeshoulder. In my everyday life I wouldn't debate a non-believer or even try to win 'em over. I'd just have a chat. Give them some food for thought and so on. However, this is a debate forum which brings with it an inherent notion of winning and losing arguments. If one is seeking a friendly discussion or evangelistic opportunities I personally don't see this place as the appropriate environment.

yeah, but debates here are never won, lost, finalized, or judged. So you can sneak in some discussion. I think I manage to, even though i sometimes get hot under the collar.

veeman · Post by **veeman** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:29 am

Goose wrote:I agree with you Slopeshoulder. In my everyday life I wouldn't debate a non-believer or even try to win 'em over. I'd just have a chat. Give them some food for thought and so on. However, this is a debate forum which brings with it an inherent notion of winning and losing arguments. If one is seeking a friendly discussion or evangelistic opportunities I personally don't see this place as the appropriate environment.

Agreed, no theist is ever going to say my arguments are winning him for Christ. But I had a neat experience on another Christian debate forum in which my adversary conceded the debate due to time constraints and said that he'd not previously been aware that Christians can support their faith with reason and facts. Which was all I wanted to do: show him you can think and believe at the same time. As you know our adversaries do not tire of telling each other that we cannot.

Slopeshoulder · Post by **Slopeshoulder** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:41 am

I don't think of anyone as my adversary when it comes to belief.

The only exceptions would be the extreme conservative believer and the extreme hater of spirit. Both are arrogant nihilists. But the varieties of religous experience and faith don't concern me. No one religion is right in every detail. Including my own.

Winning someone for Christ isn't in my vocabulary. I do invite people to check out christ-buddha-atman/brahmin/dao, etc., and how they or it can transform and complete life. If after doing that the specific content and culture of Christianity speaks to a person the most, well fine. But I see just as much "Christ" in non-Christians, every day, and often more. It's not a contest. I doubt God cares who "wins."

veeman · Post by **veeman** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:13 am

Guess I should be careful before I say "we".

Slopeshoulder · Post by **Slopeshoulder** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:00 am

veeman wrote:Guess I should be careful before I say "we".

I don't understand.