I'm not sure whether you're lecturing or preaching here. A bit of both?Divine Insight wrote: [Replying to post 169 by Volbrigade]
The problem with your replies is that you aren't providing rational evidence for any of your religious beliefs or claims.
All your posts amount to are the standard "preaching" techniques of this religious cult that tries desperately to denigrate anyone who refuses to join and support it.
It's not going to be productive to simply attempt to denigrate people who refuse to be convinced. In fact, that is actually in direct violation of the teachings of Jesus anyway. Jesus never instructed his disciples to argue with or accuse anyone of anything. To the contrary, he clearly instructed them to move on if people aren't interested in hearing the message.
I fail to see where I have denigrated anybody. I did mention the "vague beliefs" expressed by those with opposing arguments. Is that what you refer to?
But that is exactly what they, themselves, express. "I don't claim to know what our origins are, or what our destiny is..."; "I am comfortable with not knowing...". Sound familiar?
All due respect, but if I am looking for insight into the "teachings of Jesus", I will look elsewhere than to a non-theist.So when a theist does nothing but argue to the bitter death with non-believers I don't see where they are paying attention to the teachings of Jesus.
"Argue to the bitter death"? That's a colorful way of putting it, isn't it? From my perspective, I'm just visiting a message board dedicated to the discussion and debate of Christianity. And expressing my reasons for being a Christian. Which generates oppositional views, which I then address.
If by "bitter death", you mean until both parties begin to repeat themselves -- well, yes. am willing to engage to that point. A point we seem to have reached, in our discussion.
Is that a nice way of saying "shut up"?If I were going to preach to people I would at least follow Jesus' instructions and only preach to those who are interested in hearing the message.
Again -- it is perhaps a good thing that the prohibition against "preaching" (however defined -- apparently, it means "sharing the Good News"; which is an odd injunction on a site devoted to Christianity...) does not extend to "lecturing", of which I cetainly have been the recipient of my share -- as here.
I think, in general, theists "preach" (against the rules);
non-theists "lecture" (within the rules).
Perhaps that has a bearing on the subject of the OP?
I certainly regret to hear that.In the meantime, if you are attempting to argue or debate for why the religion has merit, I haven't seen where you have supplied any compelling arguments.
But I don't see where that is a compelling argument that I haven't made any.

[/quote]