Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Tricia · 07-22-2002, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonduca:
(because he is too clever to be fooled by HER!)

I must play really good at being-----I mean, darn, this ploy of being a 15-year-old Christian didn't work.

~Tricia

[ July 22, 2002: Message edited by: Tricia ]

07-22-2002, 02:10 AM

Yes, "Tricia", you've let your guard slip too many times. Your beard is showing.

HelenM · 07-22-2002, 02:50 AM

Originally posted by David Mathews:

David: If Tricia is saved she need not fear her doubt. God can preserve her soul no matter what. Under these circumstances, I believe that I am under no special obligation to save her.

Of course you aren't - you couldn't even if you wanted to...

But you are under the mandate to love people - if you believe the Bible.

As to Tricia's identity, age, sex and status as a Christian: Perhaps she is describing herself honestly. I don't really know nor do I especially care.

Tricia's identity, age and sex are irrelevant to me. It would not make the least bit of difference to me is she were Cindy Crawford. If Tricia wanted me to take her request seriously, she should not have wasted any words describing herself.

But David, I find it helps me to understand where someone is 'coming from' when they provide a few details.

How was Tricia - in fact how were any of us to know - that a requirement to be taken seriously by you is to provide no details such as age and gender?

You seem to say that anonymity gives you a reason not to care about people and now you are saying that age and gender give you a reason not to take them seriously.

I am still mystified as to why that is so, speaking for myself.

I must let everyone know that I consider all anonymous (and essentially anonymous) posters on the Internet as anonymous posters. As such, I could care less if you are a male or a female. I don't care where you live, what you do and how you identify yourself.

As long as you remain anonymous it is best that you keep yourself anonymous. Otherwise I will not take your post as a serious request for assistance, guidance, teaching or advice.

I hope this clears the present situation up for you, Tricia.

Then why didn't you say so in the first place?

I think that many if not most posts here that appear to be serious, are. Some people are here to play games and/or for their own amusement. You might be one of them. But most people come in search of support and/or fellowship and/or interesting discussions. As well as some fun - but that would be sharing jokes rather than being amused at someone else's expense.

Many things are as real and as helpful as we allow ourselves to believe they can be, imo...

Have you read The Last Battle, where the children see a feast but to the dwarves, who have decided not to believe, it's just moldy old bits of food found in a barn. In context I suppose it's an implied comment against disbelief/atheism. But in a wider sense I think that people often make their own choices to limit themselves and they miss out by doing so. People in all belief systems do this. You see what you want to see. It's related to the glass is half-empty or half-full principle...

So, people who come here expecting to find a bunch of immoral people playing games and being insincere...that's probably all they will see. But that doesn't mean that's the way it really is, here.

love
Helen

David Mathews · 07-22-2002, 03:54 AM

Hello nyx,

Quote:

It seems obvious that he doesn't practice what the Church of Christ preaches. Your thinking, or even mentioning stalker, should not alone deter him from helping you.

David: That alone is sufficient to deter me from having any involvement with Tricia whatsoever.

Quote:

Not to mention some of the hateful comments he throws here and there.(Doesn't want to know you...your soul left to satan....)

David: If these words are considered hateful that is unfortunate.

Sincerely,

David Mathews

David Mathews · 07-22-2002, 04:01 AM

Hello Buffman,

Quote:

(See page three.) IMHO, this is a very lonely and bitter man with a huge inferiority complex that he attempts to mask with an arrogant smugness. I find it to be quite sad.

David: If I am lonely and bitter, consider the character of these atheists here who are obscene, offensive, bigoted and angry?

Quote:

If you wish to continue to feed him, that is certainly your choice. Personally, I could find little of value in continuing any dialogue with him. He answers questions with questions because he has little of a positive or constructive consequence to add to most conversations. It is an old technique. One quite often used by a salesperson when they don't know, or can not accurately reveal, the answer to a potential client's insightful query.

David: If Buffman doesn't want to talk to me he doesn't have to talk to me. I certainly didn't come here so that I could talk to Buffman.

Quote:

These forums are giving him a status that he can not acquire within his own religious faith belief community. However, it pleases me to know that the folks here are more tolerant with his type than I am. For me, there are simply too many other urgent issues to attract my attention than any of his offerings.

David: Folks here are tolerant? I find it astonishing that the atheists would assert their own tolerance when there are enough obscene, bitter, angry, hateful and offensive here.

I want everyone to know that I did not initiate this conversation with Tricia, nor did I solicit for such a conversation here on Internet Infidels. Perhaps it is Tricia who is in desperate need of attention and that is why she has gone to such great lengths to present herself as a young girl in danger.

Best Regards,

David Mathews

agapeo · 07-22-2002, 04:07 AM

Quote:

David: If these words are considered hateful that is unfortunate.

Sincerely,

David Mathews

Unfortunate for whom? You or them? I think it's unfortunate for you that you fail to see the harm that you do. I think it's unfortunate for you that you fail to understand the walk of love. I think . . . Oh, who cares what I think. What matters is most people obviously think you're not worth the effort to hold a conversation with and yet you think it's their problem and not yours. That's very narrow-minded thinking IMHO. But of course you most likely don't give a damn what I think, so . . . nevermind what I said above.

David Mathews · 07-22-2002, 04:19 AM

Hello agapeo,

Quote:

Unfortunate for whom? You or them? I think it's unfortunate for you that you fail to see the harm that you do. I think it's unfortunate for you that you fail to understand the walk of love. I think . . . Oh, who cares what I think. What matters is most people obviously think you're not worth the effort to hold a conversation with and yet you think it's their problem and not yours.

David: These people's opinions are their concern, not mine. Am I obligated to care what these anonymous people think?

Quote:

That's very narrow-minded thinking IMHO. But of course you most likely don't give a damn what I think, so . . . nevermind what I said above.

David: Am I obligated to care about what you think?

Of course not.

Sincerely,

David Mathews

agapeo · 07-22-2002, 04:22 AM

Quote:

David: Am I obligated to care about what you think?

Well, of course not, David. Are you obligated to love me?

HelenM · 07-22-2002, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by agapeo:
 Oh, who cares what I think.

I do, agapeo!

Who knows...maybe others here do too. Maybe Tricia does

.

love
Helen

HelenM · 07-22-2002, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by agapeo:

Well, of course not, David. Are you obligated to love me?

I have been wondering that. I suppose it depends on his attitude towards the Bible.

It certainly seems odd to me that if he is, 'love' excludes 'caring'.

But what do I know, agapeo?

love
Helen

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-22-2002, 02:10 AM	#132
DMB Guest Posts: n/a	Yes, "Tricia", you've let your guard slip too many times. Your beard is showing.

07-22-2002, 02:50 AM	#133
HelenM Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ill Posts: 6,577	Originally posted by David Mathews: David: If Tricia is saved she need not fear her doubt. God can preserve her soul no matter what. Under these circumstances, I believe that I am under no special obligation to save her. Of course you aren't - you couldn't even if you wanted to... But you are under the mandate to love people - if you believe the Bible. As to Tricia's identity, age, sex and status as a Christian: Perhaps she is describing herself honestly. I don't really know nor do I especially care. Tricia's identity, age and sex are irrelevant to me. It would not make the least bit of difference to me is she were Cindy Crawford. If Tricia wanted me to take her request seriously, she should not have wasted any words describing herself. But David, I find it helps me to understand where someone is 'coming from' when they provide a few details. How was Tricia - in fact how were any of us to know - that a requirement to be taken seriously by you is to provide no details such as age and gender? You seem to say that anonymity gives you a reason not to care about people and now you are saying that age and gender give you a reason not to take them seriously. I am still mystified as to why that is so, speaking for myself. I must let everyone know that I consider all anonymous (and essentially anonymous) posters on the Internet as anonymous posters. As such, I could care less if you are a male or a female. I don't care where you live, what you do and how you identify yourself. As long as you remain anonymous it is best that you keep yourself anonymous. Otherwise I will not take your post as a serious request for assistance, guidance, teaching or advice. I hope this clears the present situation up for you, Tricia. Then why didn't you say so in the first place? I think that many if not most posts here that appear to be serious, are. Some people are here to play games and/or for their own amusement. You might be one of them. But most people come in search of support and/or fellowship and/or interesting discussions. As well as some fun - but that would be sharing jokes rather than being amused at someone else's expense. Many things are as real and as helpful as we allow ourselves to believe they can be, imo... Have you read The Last Battle, where the children see a feast but to the dwarves, who have decided not to believe, it's just moldy old bits of food found in a barn. In context I suppose it's an implied comment against disbelief/atheism. But in a wider sense I think that people often make their own choices to limit themselves and they miss out by doing so. People in all belief systems do this. You see what you want to see. It's related to the glass is half-empty or half-full principle... So, people who come here expecting to find a bunch of immoral people playing games and being insincere...that's probably all they will see. But that doesn't mean that's the way it really is, here. love Helen

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.