No Christians???

[ChristianGuy]

After sneaking about the "A-Room" I stumbled upon a recent topic of theirs. They actually think that there are too few Christians on this forum apparently. They are disapointed because they are "running the Christians off." This troubled me and so I took a look at the statistics. The top usergroup is the Christian Usergroup, with 258 members. Atheist are actually in 2nd place with 198. The troubling part is that there are like 5 non-theist post for every 1 theist post. I would like to encourage all of you to not be afraid to speak the truth. Even if you feel you have no proof, if you really want proof, God will give it to you. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK.

[otseng]

Non-Christians have been more active than Christians on this forum since the very beginning. I think God must've predestined it to be that way.

Well, I'm going to be outnumbered in the upcoming Origin of Species book debate. But, it should be more interesting that way!

[jgh7]

I debate only for the sake of learning something, or perfecting my arguments, or when I am bored. Unfortunately, I've come to the point where I can't learn much more from debating with non-theists. I've done enough arguing with them to understand their side. But these boards are still fun to watch I suppose.

I'm not interested in debating for the sake of "winning" or making sure the religious side has more posts. I don't care of the non-theist side thinks they're superior. They can all stroke each others egos till the cows come home. Makes no difference to me.

[ChristianGuy]

You are correct. It is not for the sake of winning. It is for the sake of making sure, at least, that there is a Christian answer. Not about posts or anything like that. It is about Jesus. Thats it.

P.S. did you find anything interesting in my predestination argument?

[jgh7]

Yea, it was an interesting way of looking at it. But I've heard many arguments from both sides, and I think there is still a strong case that the NT argues for predestination in the matter of God's choosing. I just need to reread the entire NT again to see if I can get a better understanding of how much of the ball is in our court and how much is dependent on God's bringing us to him.

[Goose]

They[atheists/agnostics] are disapointed because they are "running the Christians off."

Evidence of atheistic hubris.

The troubling part is that there are like 5 non-theist post for every 1 theist post.

Why are you troubled? Ask yourself why they need five posts for every theistic post. Why do they have to work so hard to refute our positions? If the theistic (or Christian) position were so weak and so sorrily lacking in evidence it would take one post with one or two pieces of counter evidence and a few sentences to decimate the Christian position.

I would like to encourage all of you to not be afraid to speak the truth.

I don't think experienced Christian debaters on this forum are afraid. Busy with work, family, outreach to the community, church activities, and such perhaps. But hardly afraid.

Even if you feel you have no proof, if you really want proof, God will give it to you. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK.

We've all been given the same evidence. Now, it's hard to argue against someone that holds the irrational position "there is NO evidence." Other than recommend therapy for a case of utter denial, what else should we do for them? If one's MO is evangelism (which isn't my primary objetive here) shouldn't one move on to someone else more rational and open minded?

[ChristianGuy]

you make a strong point. Do you mind if I quote that?

"it's hard to argue against someone that holds the irrational position "there is NO evidence."

[myth-one.com]

We've all been given the same evidence.

We meaning us Christians?

Given the number of different Christian denominations, mankind obviously reached somewhat different conclusions with the same evidence.

The common evidence all have are the scriptures. But few of us understand Hebrew or Greek, so what we really have is our Bibles. Yet, few Christians have actually read the entire Bible from the first page to the last page. The evidence most of us act on is what we were taught by family members, pastors, priests, evangelists, etc. We assume what we are taught is validated by the scriptures.

In the "Bible Belt" state where I was born one could not throw a rock from one Southern Baptist Church without hitting another Southern Baptist Church. Consequently, I became a Southern Baptist. Had I been born into a Jewish or Muslim family living in Israel or Iran, I most likely would be either Jewish or Moslem respectively today. Accidents of birth can be very important.

Upon finally reading the Bible, I was shocked to discover that most of what I had been told (i.e. my evidence) was unsupported by scripture! Who among us can possibly defend some of the ridiculous beliefs of "Christianity" over the years?

Christians need to someday agree at to what the evidence really is, but that will never happen, as most of us would die defending the beliefs we were taught from birth - right or wrong!

Meanwhile, Atheists probably just enjoy laughing at us.

[Goose]

you make a strong point. Do you mind if I quote that?

"it's hard to argue against someone that holds the irrational position "there is NO evidence."

Sure, but I charge a small royalty per usage - 10 cents. I accept all major credit cards.

[Goose]

We've all been given the same evidence.

We meaning us Christians?

Everyone exposed to a Bible and other first century/early second century writings such as 1Clement, Josephus, Tacitus, etc.

Given the number of different Christian denominations, mankind obviously reached somewhat different conclusions with the same evidence.

On fringe issues? Sure. On major core doctrinal issues? Perhaps when the Bible takes second place to, lets say, the Pope.

The evidence most of us act on is what we were taught by family members, pastors, priests, evangelists, etc. We assume what we are taught is validated by the scriptures.

That's foolish. The scriptures tell us to test everything (1Thess 5:21). What is the benchmark then to test? The Bible.

In the "Bible Belt" state where I was born one could not throw a rock from one Southern Baptist Church without hitting another Southern Baptist Church. Consequently, I became a Southern Baptist. Had I been born into a Jewish or Muslim family living in Israel or Iran, I most likely would be either Jewish or Moslem respectively today. Accidents of birth can be very important.

Why aren't you a Jew or a Muslim?

Upon finally reading the Bible, I was shocked to discover that most of what I had been told (i.e. my evidence)..

What you have been told by your pastor is not what I call "evidence."

..was unsupported by scripture! Who among us can possibly defend some of the ridiculous beliefs of "Christianity" over the years?

Which ridiculous beliefs would those be?

Meanwhile, Atheists probably just enjoy laughing at us.

Hmmm. Your last 32 consecutive posts have been in the Holy Huddle room arguing with Christians. Mostly in threads you have started. Strange.