DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Secularists Erect ‘Holiday’ Exhibits in Florida, Michigan, Angering Believers

Maybe I took his word force to literal.

My question was not so much a question as much as a statement of how no one can FORCE the government to do anything, they can influence them and even bribe them, but no group I know has ever stood before the government and forced them to enact a law against their will.





Can you expound on the slavery topic and how that is a Christian thing?

Ask PDR. Goro is his fantasy.

Not fantasy.

Faith.

I feel sorry for you that you refuse to accept Goro into your heart. I hope someday you will know the comfort that Godoron, the elf archer that protects us from Goro, gives me.

You say it's fantasy, and I say it's faith. There's no way to prove it either way, so look at it this way -

If you protect your children from Goro, and he's not really there, what's the harm?

If he is real, then you've protected your children.

So, logically, why would you not have faith and accept that Goro is real?

I agree. Very blessed are we to believe because you can see just how hard it is for others. Keep reading YTown, it will pay dividends.

No. That's not what I'm saying. The point is would it be right for me to question your spiritual motivations?

How about if I post a thread saying I need concern about my upcoming surgery, but no prayers please?



So apparently you are as insulted as I am when someone tries to influence your belief when you haven't solicited it.

Like when I drive by churches or billboards or people's yards. I'm sure there are plenty, "There is no god!!" messages posted, but I would find it hard to believe someone could see a new and different one any time they drive or walk around. At least the "There is no god!!" sign doesn't promise damnation, which is actually a threat to believe in God or burn in hell!



This whole section of what you wrote sounds like you're preaching to me and we both have stated that we don't like others to preach their beliefs at us.



Yes you have the right. So don't get surprised when people say you're 100% absolutely wrong, which they have the right to do also.



Whereas I believe "offers of salvation" are self serving, narcissistic expressions meant to demonstrate spiritual superiority over others.

Of course you have the right to not read what I just wrote.

There is a real comfort in knowing that He's always out there in the woods, waiting to eat the children that will someday grow up to be murderers.

Last year, I prayed to him that LeBron would come back to Cleveland.

My faith in Goro has made me a better person.

He's coming to get you, Phil.

If that's what you believe, then carry on.

I'm confused, is it Goro or Godoron, the elf archer you pray to?

There it is! Ahh, Thats my boy.

But you did, and that's how I answered it. It's not that difficult.



No, it is insulting when someone responds with no other intention than to ridicule my beliefs. There is a difference. However, such posts as these are still opportunities. Those who continue to respond and even if they only try to ridicule must have some interest, or else they would simply stop responding. I love my Lord, so I respond when I have opportunities to do so. I try to be respectful of others beliefs, while explaining my own. I cannot force anyone to believe anything. I can address questions or comments as they arise though.



I have never said that. You have assumed it, but I truly do not have a problem having a serious discussion of peoples' beliefs. What I posted was not "preaching", it was explaining me beliefs, and why I believe them. It is like any other discussion. I am sorry if such things alarm you. You asked a question, and I tried my best to answer it.



I have had that discussion a number of times. The encouraging things is that some of those who most vehemently protest continue to come back so there are additional opportunities to reach them.



There is no superiority at all. I have done nothing to "earn" my salvation. I cannot earn my salvation. It was a gift, freely given by God, and also available to anyone who wishes to accept it. I am in no way superior because of my salvation, in fact, if I was somehow superior and perfect, then I wouldn't need salvation. I an far from perfect, though, and was in dire need of salvation though, and I Thank God that He poured out His Grace on me.

I have a feeling we'll end up in some kind of pissing holy water contest, but anyway.

You said that I claimed being a Christian means you make bad choices.

Never said it. Don't understand why you think this is difficult for me.



Again, never said that. Is there a reason that you think that I did? Did you read what I wrote?

What's probably confusing to you about this is the idea that someone would feel excluded from the prayer group thread. Of course that's not the intention of the thread, but on the other hand one might ask for prayers, thoughts and wishes.



Exactly which part was insulting? You did understand that I proposed several hypotheticals as an attempt to show the other POV. I did my best to not make them personal. If you see something that insults you personally I apologize.



I realize that you don't consider this as proselytizing, but it misses the point of my original statement of seeing signs of Christian proselytizing everywhere, and how it does often insists that non-believers will burn in hell, but as I understand of course it only means my soul and what the heck how can telling someone their soul will burn in hell be insulting?



I'm totally unalarmed and it seems we are both driving down the same road, if somewhat different destinations.



Reach them or preach them? JUST KIDDING! JUST KIDDING!



Well it seems that a lot of dialogues about this issue contain individual perceptions. My point was in relation to my beliefs about what some Christian's motivations might be.

Please don't let my beliefs overly concern you and of course I know they don't. And please don't think I am engaging in anything other than strident discussion. As I've stated before, I don't wish to insult anyone's beliefs or change anyone's mind. I'm only attempting to provide a view from the other side of the issue.

I have no wish to insult you YTown and if I have, and probably did, then I offer sincere apologies.

Ahh but he has mellowed.

You said, as this discussion began, the following:



How should I take that? It is obvious that you have rejected God, and that is your right. Again, God does not force anyone into a relationship with Him. He wants us to love him, but he does not force us. However, and back on point, how have you characterized faith in God? As a lack of reality. Just because something cannot be seen does not necessarily make it imaginary. We cannot see dark matter. However many believe in that, because "there is no other explanation" for certain things in our universe. Should I tell those people to only speak of what is provable ..... not theories?

As far as those who insult my beliefs, and the beliefs of many, someone calling those beliefs a "fairy tale" is an insult, no matter how they frame if. It is not you, specifically, but such has taken place on this very thread. I do wonder if those who ridicule do so because they do not understand, or they are afraid that they actually might start to believe if they allow the slightest crack in their mental armor? I have read accounts of people who have gone from Atheist to Christian who have said that this was their defense.



Sorry, I was just trying to figure out why someone would specifically try to forbid a prayer on their own behalf. I can find few reasons. I mean, if I am dying, and someone who believes that eating blue crayons will cure illness, and wants to do so on my behalf, while I may not believe in that particular thing, I am not going to say, in a thread, "Please do not eat blue crayons on my behalf". When I have started threads about surgeries I have had, asking for prayers, some merely send good wishes. I take that with the spirit in which it was offered, instead of saying "please don't send good wishes only. If you can't pray for me ....." I simply do not see or feel a need for doing so.



If a person disobeys the law, then they pay the price for that disobedience. The Bible tells us that we will all stand before God for judgment. At that point we will be a mortal soul. Those who have repented their sins and accepted the Love and Grace that God has presented to us through Jesus Christ will receive an immortal body and soul. Those who have not, will not. Many will actually get what they always have desired, an eternity of nothing. Their mortal souls will be discarded, thrown out, as a consequence of their sin. All sin offends God, and we all sin. However, the Bible teaches us that the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ washes us clean. That may insult some, but I am sure that some who break man's laws feel that it is insulting to have to answer to authority they do not acknowledge. However, that does not mean that they get an "out". They are still punished for breaking laws, whether they believe in the authority enforcing those laws or not. God is just. He gives us every chance to win a pardon prior to that "trial", but at judgment, it becomes too late. Man's justice rules on this world. God's justice rules in the next.

Sorry, proselytizing again.



Most people have motivations of their own. Some run away from fire, yet firemen, or the mother of a trapped child, run in without a 2nd thought. We all have our own internal motivations, and often they are not as apparent as the fire example.

I will promise to not become alarmed if you will do the same. I am concerned about your beliefs, just as I would be with anyone who does not believe. I believe that such a path is a path to death. If I can help keep someone, especially a fellow Browns fan, from that fate .... well, if there is an open line of communication, then I feel that I should try. If anyone deserves heaven, it is a long suffering fan of this team. lol

I also have no wish to insult anyone ... but changing minds? Yeah, I pray that God uses me to help change minds. I have said this before, and I truly mean it. In the long run, my life on this earth, by physical measures, will largely be nothing. 1000 years from now, (assuming the world still exists) my name will be just a name in a few records ..... if records survive that long. If we have some severe massive solar flare, we could all be wiped out of history in a heartbeat.

This world is temporary. Almost anything I accomplish upon this earth will be temporary. The only permanence is in heaven, and only by helping another come to God's salvation can I say that I truly accomplished something with my life. All else will be dust.

I am not insulted. I value such debates, because they help me take a fresh look at my positions, every time. (well, when there is a worthwhile debate) These debates reinforce my faith, because God strengthens me as I answer questions.

I hope that you will forgive me as I pray that you have a Happy New Year.

How should I take that?

I thought it was an obvious hypothetical question, but apparently it was a direct attack. sorry

It is obvious that you have rejected God, and that is your right. Again, God does not force anyone into a relationship with Him. He wants us to love him, but he does not force us. However, and back on point, how have you characterized faith in God? As a lack of reality.

I thought it was an obvious hypothetical question, but apparently it was a direct attack. sorry

As far as those who insult my beliefs, and the beliefs of many, someone calling those beliefs a "fairy tale" is an insult, no matter how they frame if.

I thought it was an obvious hypothetical question, but apparently it was a direct attack. sorry

It is not you, specifically, but such has taken place on this very thread. I do wonder if those who ridicule do so because they do not understand, or they are afraid that they actually might start to believe if they allow the slightest crack in their mental armor? I have read accounts of people who have gone from Atheist to Christian who have said that this was their defense.

Wow that was really hard to read. Dark blue on black just does not work with these old eyes.

Anyway, I want to respond to one thing here that I managed to pick out.



That works both ways. Think about the young Christian who has decided to follow Jesus, and to try and live his/her life in the best possible way according to the teachings of the Bible. How much social ostracizing will that young person face?

"Man, I have a chance to get with this girl, and I need someone for her sister. Wanna go? She's hot, and is an absolutely sure thing man."

"No thank you. I have decided to follow Jesus, and that means that I have also decided to not have sex until I am married."

"What are you ... gay or something?

Think that conversation doesn't take place? Those who do not want to do the things that the Bible says we do not are often ridiculed.

The examples could go on and on, and are often far worse than anything that Christians do in attempting to spread the Word of God. Christians are bombarded with the messages of the world on a day by day, hour by hour, and often minute by minute basis. That constant bombardment is much harder to ignore than "unsolicited statements" from Christians. I bet that many Christians find it even more offensive, though many, unfortunately, have become numb to much of what the world says.

I hope that Christians speak to people, remembering that they also are children of God, and that they are loved by God, even when they sin. God loved us enough to send His Son to die on the cross for us. He did so for all of us who are sinners, and that includes Christians who have been saved. We should invite people into Christ's love. Is there a time for letting people know the fate of those who will not accept Christ? Absolutely. However, I think that we should use that information only to show why we all need salvation.


Once more I would ask you to abstain from the blue text. Man, it is killing my eyes trying to read that, even highlighted.

HA! Aliens and Idiots...


CIA admits: All those UFO sightings in 1950s? 'It was us'


As far as "best of 2014" lists go, the CIA has a pretty irresistible one: On Dec. 22 it started tweeting links to the 10 most popular articles of the year that it shared on Twitter, and the agency arrived at No. 1 yesterday, tweeting: "Reports of unusual activity in the skies in the '50s? It was us." The accompanying link directs readers to The CIA and the U-2 Program, 1954-1974, a 272-page document from 1998 the CIA tweeted a link to in early July, reported KAKE at the time.

The upshot of the report is that the CIA was the culprit behind more than half of the UFO sightings logged in the 1950s and 1960s.

As VentureBeat reports, the CIA tested its U-2 spy planes at 60,000 feet, an altitude that seemed impossible for man to reach at the time—leading observers, specifically pilots, to suspect it wasn't man up there at all.

VentureBeat highlights a portion of the report that explains that in the mid-1950s, most commercial airliners stuck below 20,000 feet; military aircraft kept it below 40,000 feet.

"Consequently, once U-2s started flying at altitudes above 60,000 feet, air-traffic controllers began receiving increasing numbers of UFO reports." The CIA actually cross-checked the UFO reports with its flight records, it noted in the document, but in instances when it verified the UFO was really a U-2, it stayed mum.

The report was part of documents declassified in 2013 that famously detailed the existence of Area 51 in Nevada. As for the rest of the CIA's top 10, it includes a look at a day in the life of a "not yet burned out" CIA Operations Center Officer and a confirmation that pigeon missions remain classified.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/12/3...intcmp=trending