MortalWombat

If they're so sure we're in the end times, ask them for their possessions and money. After all, it should be of no use to them shortly if they really believe it.

David Bowden

What does assuming that he's out to "annoy" people say about yourself, Tercel? I won't go so far as to state that you're the pot calling the kettle black in the comments I quoted above, but they are pretty venomous rather than "seasoned with salt," or "kind." (Colossians 4:5, 1 Thess. 5:15)

I'm sure Alex Moon intends to go to this event for very nearly the same reasons that Christians and other believers post in the II forums: To light a candle in the darkness, being among the primary reasons.

Can't he do for his worldview whatever you (or other believers) do for yours?

-David

[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: David Bowden ]</p>

Ron Garrett

"If the Rapture comes, can I have your car?"

Gregg

LOL--I saw one of those stupid "In case of Rapture, car will be unmanned" bumper stickers today. This is a good comeback.

Gregg

Tercel

That I'm a realist?

1. I'm a liberal - I post here 'cos I enjoy arguing and discussing religion, not out of any great desire to "save" you.

2. The event differs from these forums in important ways. The event is being organised by (presumably) averagely ignorant people who are trying to do some good by following what they see as God's Will and preaching the Truth to them's as want to hear it. It is extremely extremely unlikely they want to deal with (or are capable of dealing with) an intelligent atheist asking difficult questions and I imagine that they want people who are willing to listen as opposed to those that are there to argue. They are out there doing their best to help others (from their point of view) and I'm pretty certain that asking difficult questions of them is not going to make their day.
These forums are run by a group or rather more intelligent and learned people who set these forums up for the very purpose of encouraging debate between the two sides about the difficult questions. The ignorant theists are supposed to come here trying to convert people and get converted in turn.

3. I don't see why he should be able to "do for his worldview" what other people do for mine. If you truly believed that people would go to Hell eternally if they didn't agree with your worldview, then if you were a nice, caring, person you'd surely be out there trying your absolute and utter best trying to save people? Yes? (In fact I get rather disgusted at people who say they do believe that, and who don't do anything about it) Well I would be. What would that same nice caring person do if they were an atheist? Would they try to force their worldview on others? Would they tell the children that Santa doesn't exist? Yes I know these people are adults, yes I know they have power. But they are often like babies because they are uncritical, full of "faith", unlearned and ignorant in matters of their religion, and it is like candy for them because that's how they use it.

I simply cannot see why you think preaching to them is justified.
Because they are doing it to you? - Wouldn't that reduce you to their level?
Because you've got the Truth? - Sound's like a fundie to me...
Because they're wrong and you're Right? - See above.
Becuase you're damned sick of hearing them go on and on about something you don't believe in? - Well, I've actually got more than a bit of sympathy for this one. Fortunately I don't live in the USA, but from what I can gather I would be getting very sick of it very fast. But I sincerely doubt that preaching back at them's going to change anything much. At most you might convince a few people who'll go through several difficult years of painful indecision before finally having to face "reality" without their candy. Apart from not doing those people any favours, I don't see it achieving much insofar as reducing the problem goes. I really don't see a solution short of moving to a different country...

Just getting his attention properly.
Actually I'm sick of hearing atheists going on about how they want to preach to the ignorant theistic masses. It reminds me of my fundie friends who want to preach to the ignorant atheistic masses. You guys are supposed to be more enlightened/learned etc than they are and so when I see you doing the exact same stuff I feel more than a little sick at the hypocriticalness of it all. I get the feeling I'm watching two children standing on either side of a fence bickering "I'm on the right side and you're on the wrong one! And I'm Better Than You because I'm Right!". And the trouble is that they'll still all be children no matter which side of the fence they swap to.