diana

Good point, Infinity Lover.

However, I think it may be worth while to pursue this line of thought, if only to express one's doubt in what another professes to believe. I think it's a good policy to avoid stating outright that someone else does or does not really believe, though.

The writer made some good points, IMO. It sounds simplistic enough, but I've watched Xns (particularly) my whole life, and have often thought they don't really believe what they say they do, about the bible being true. If they did, it seems like they would make a concerted effort to understand its directives and obey them to the letter, because they understand better than anyone else that their souls are hanging in the balance.

I know if I believed I had a soul, I'd spend my life making my "calling and election" DAMN sure. Those who claim they believe and don't do this are betraying their true lack of belief.

d

The AntiChris

Do believers react any differently to non-believers when a close friend or family member dies?

How much evidence do you find at a funeral that Christian mourners genuinely believe they'll be reunited with their loved ones in heaven?

Chris

HelenM

Based on the ones I've been to, a lot.

Helen

emur

When I left evangelicalism several years ago, two evangelical pastors in the area who knew me were aware of it. These men say they believe the whole line - inerrancy of the bible, unbelief puts you in hell...

Yet neither one of them approached me personally about my walking away. Why? I think it is either that:
1) they are unloving creeps and don't care if I end up in hell, or
2) they don't want to be confronted with the facts that led me to leave their belief system, or
3) they don't really believe the bible is true, hell awaits unbelievers...

I think it is some combination of 2) and 3). They may be insecure enough in their beliefs that they don't want their boat rocked, and in line with that they may have questions that they prefer to keep suppressed.

The psychology of it all fascinates me sometimes.

Mel

HelenM

Do they believe 'once saved, always saved?' If so and they believe you truly have been saved, they won't think you're in danger of hell.

It might also be that they thought you were too convinced to be worth trying to dissuade.

They might be praying for your return to the faith. (Maybe they think it would take God's direct intervention in your thinking to get you back, no matter what they do or don't say to you)

I agree that that psychology is fascinating but I often think that most people here who speculate about it only have half of it down.

Helen

[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: HelenM ]</p>

The AntiChris

Can you explain what differences you see?

Chris

MrDarwin

god-free, what do you think? In your short time here you've established a pattern of initiating discussions, or jumping into others, posting just once (usually with short non-commital comments) and never following up. If you're at all interested in serious discussions of these issues, and in being taken seriously by the other members here, you need to follow up a little more often--otherwise people will start to ignore your hit-and-run postings.

MrDarwin

Or perhaps they respected your decision?

Did you want them to confront you?

ex-xian

It seems to me that this thread should be entitled "Does anyone really believe in a Christian God?" Many of the arguments presented are only viable if applied to Christian belief.

diana

Mel,

Or
(4) They took this passage as literal truth:
d