corn

I come here becuase i find the discussions interesting. As long as they are not of the variety i sometimes see here as just attacks with no substance. Im not a member of any thiests boards, they tend to have assumed all the answers. I cant argue against a person that says the bible or quran says so, it must be true.


I dont care who converts, reconverts, comes home, leaves or does nothing.

Zeda

Hi Corn I agree it seems like these boards have something of interest to all. I also cant stand to read the theist boards I have looked at so far. Too much Praise the Lord, and because the Bible says so for me. If I found one with the level of discussion I see here, I would spend some time there.

Still waiting for more Theists to weigh in with thier answers, but it doesnt seem to me that most are here to testify or convert anyone. Those that do show up for that reason dont appear to last long here.

TightSight

I have been watching the boards for a little while now and it strikes me that the main reasons theists stick around is to practice apologetics as well as to simply provide an alternate view point. It looks as if the practice that some theists get here can be very valuable in the "mission field" so to speak.

wildernesse

I began posting here because my husband (to-be at the time) was spending so much time here--still does, he's a mod in E/C. I stay because I actually like many people here, and enjoy seeing what they think. Really, it's more of a semi-social experience for me than anything else.

Kassiana

why do the Christians and other strong theists of various stripes post here and read these boards.
--Hm. I guess I'll call myself a strong theist for purposes of answering this question. I'm a member of an anti-proselytizing faith, Paganism. I don't come here to preach, scream at people for disagreeing with me, or so on. I came here initially because I'd just deconverted from fundamentalist Christianity, and it helped cement my new decision to stop being a Christian. I continue to post here irregularly to correct misconceptions about theists (some people here think any member of any religion = fundamentalist; that ain't so).

jdlongmire

Well, in the interest of pithiness (which I try to hold to as much as possible).

I come here to challenge assumptions. Mine particularly...

1 Thessalonians 5:21
Test everything. Hold on to the good.

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD .

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.


But ultimately...

1 Peter 3
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Zeda

Nice post, and well backed up by your world view. I have always felt even when I was still a Christian, that if you are not prepared to answer WHY you believe, especially to yourself, then your belief can not count for much.

I saw many in my time as a fundamentalist that felt it was wrong even sinful to question thier preceptions of what the church or the Bible said. While still feeling that the Bible was the inspired word of God, I wanted to be sure that what I thought it said, and what I was told it said, where indeed what was being said.

Although questioning your belief can indeed lead to changes or abdication of that belief, the belief if unquestioned, is of less or no value.

Zeda

Thank you TightSight-- Your post confirms for me one of the reasons, I had posited of why a theist would come to these boards. It is indeed a great place to practice apologetics, much better than just reading a book or two as the boards are constantly evolving instead of static expressing the current worldviews and changing knowledge of the posters.

Had these boards exsisted at the time I was an active witnessing Christian, I am sure I would have spent a good deal of time here myself. My only question at that time to myself, would have been if I was wasting time here that could be better spent "plowing more fertile fields".

I am sure that most theists understand that any testimony etc posted here is likely to fall on deaf ears. The views of most here have been well considered and are firmly entrenched, though I see many who are trying to keep an open mind, and open eyes.

Zeda

Hi Wildernesse, You didnt say what your personal beliefs are nor is it listed under your profile, so I am not sure of your worldview. Nor of your husbands and how you work out any differences. The social aspects of this board hadnt really dawned on me as a reason for a theist to hang out here, but that's cool. You can indeed grow to admire and like many of the posters here. I know I find myself looking for posts by certain people because I enjoy thier intelligence, insight, wit and humor.

I also know if I dont see one of my favorite posters for awhile I wonder where they are. So I believe your right that the boards can serve as a social arena as well as a source of great information and entertainment.

Zeda

Hi Kassiana A pagan huh? That's cool. Just out of curiosity what forums do you generally follow? Is it hard to hang on to your worldview when reading the posts of so many people who are hard core materialists, Naturalists?

I find paganism interesting, although I am in no means well informed on it yet, but I plan on trying to get up to speed at least on the basics, as well as on the more eastern worldviews. My son who is almost 15 and agnostic at this point has a particular affection for Norse paganism -- especially Thor. I have a hard time in taking that seriously, but the fault may well lie with me.

Exactly what branch of paganism do you follow? I have noticed a couple of other posters here who are pagans as well. I guess just sort of hard for me to wrap my head around in the present day and age. I have to admit though I greatly admire, the pagan belief system when it comes to respect for the earth, and nature. Much better imho then one that promotes the rape and explotation of our earth because everything was given to us for our use, and Hey -- we're not going to be here much longer anyway.