Hello All - New

[servant]

Just a little bit about myself. I've considered myself to be a Christian for about 27 years however; just this year in Jan. 2007 finally completely submitted my life to the Lord. Was I truly a saved before Jan.07 I cannot really answer, all I know is that I am for the first time in my life having a very sincere personal relationship with Christ Jesus. God has been working hard on my heart and revealing countless things about Him and His character. So I am a believer.

I am glad I found this website and look forward to reading everyone's comments and posting some of my opinions. To all other believers out there "hello" and to everyone else, I am grateful that your viewing, posting and thinking about the things of God even if you don't believe. Just taking the time to come and debate at this forum is an active part by you to open your mind, heart and soul to the nature of God.

If we are honest with ourselfs I believe we can find the truth!

[bernee51]

Is the converse true?

That by coming here you are willing to open your mind, heart and soul' to the nature of the delusion?

You say delusion and I say reality. Who is right and who is wrong? The only way to know for sure is death.

Well done...I haven't even described the nature of the delusion and you are calling it reality.



Has some of your god's omniscience rubbed off on you?

[Zzyzx]

.

Most people that say they believe in God have no true understanding of Him.

Do you have the understanding of god that most believers lack?

They can hardly tell you why they have hope in God and therefore, are scared to debate with someone that does not believe.

Perhaps many or most religionists fear debate with non-believers because they are accustomed to “preaching to the choir” – promoting their opinions in arenas that lack opposition. Preaching to a captive audience is very different from debating in “mixed company”.

I have personally witnessed several (many) religionists refuse to discuss their claims with someone who is capable and willing to offer strong opposition and someone who asks questions that cannot be answered honestly without admitting that there is nothing but “faith” to support religious contentions.

Also it appears this site is mostly occupied by non-theists.

The site statistics (available by a link from the top of each page) do not confirm your observation that "this site is mostly occupied by non-theists".

It may appear as though theists are under-represented because their arguments are weak and ineffectual.

But thats ok because thats why I'm here.

Why, exactly, are you here, Servant?

Nice to meet you Z

It is nice to meet you too, Servant.

I am here to challenge and dispute religious promotions based upon unsupported claims. I repeatedly ask for evidence that what is said is true (which is very unpopular with those who preach fundamentalism).

[servant]

Do you have the understanding of god that most believers lack?

I believe I do, but I could be wrong.

Perhaps many or most religionists fear debate with non-believers because they are accustomed to “preaching to the choir” – promoting their opinions in arenas that lack opposition. Preaching to a captive audience is very different from debating in “mixed company”.

I have personally witnessed several (many) religionists refuse to discuss their claims with someone who is capable and willing to offer strong opposition and someone who asks questions that cannot be answered honestly without admitting that there is nothing but “faith” to support religious contentions.

I will never be ashamed of using "faith" to support my believes however, I do believe there is plenty of evidence to support my faith. Does that make sense?

The site statistics (available by a link from the top of each page) do not confirm your observation that "this site is mostly occupied by non-theists".

It may appear as though theists are under-represented because their arguments are weak and ineffectual.

Did not know that. Thanks for the heads up.

Why, exactly, are you here, Servant?

Because I know people die and stay dead. I believe I have answers about the afterlife and desperately want people to understand before their time is up here on this earth.

It is nice to meet you too, Servant.

I am here to challenge and dispute religious promotions based upon unsupported claims. I repeatedly ask for evidence that what is said is true (which is very unpopular with those who preach fundamentalism).

I would like to point out that most theist most likely allow the non-theist to place the burden of proof on them. I believe the burden of proof goes both ways.

[McCulloch]

It may appear as though theists are under-represented because their arguments are weak and ineffectual.

I think that the other side of whatever argument you are making will seem to be over-represented. If anyone makes a strong claim, or worse a weak argument, it will be answered by as many on the other side as will notice. This leads to the appearance that the other side is better represented. It is a statistically predictable and expected outcome.

I would like to point out that most theist most likely allow the non-theist to place the burden of proof on them. I believe the burden of proof goes both ways.

The burden of proof goes to whoever makes a positive claim. If I claim that there is no God, then I have the burden of proving that. If you claim that Jesus rose from the dead, then you have the burden of proving that.