> We apparently have a different concept of the meaning of evangelizing. Which is preaching to the
> ignorant savages, that don't believe in your religion. Which this entire insulting display of your
> ignorance, just happens to be.
Yes, yours seems connected with imperialism somehow? Mine is in its
original Biblical meaning. I am sorry if you are made to feel
belittled by some Christians, as though they were something and you
were nothing. That is not the message of the Gospel.
>
> >>>>Christianity encourages a personal relationship with God.
>
> Only in theory, in reality Christians are determined to convert all people to their belief.
> And rule over them.
Well not quite. All Christians would like to see as many people as are
meant to come to Christ. I think its some right wing Christians you
describe fixated on dominating non-believers and that they are barking
up the wrong tree though. It is prophesised that Christian believers
will rule over the world with Christ for 1000 years, but that this
will be after the second coming. Power and politics has often
corrupted the church. Christ did not have a single contact at the
Senate, he had no status and few possessions even and yet he was
arguably the most influential man in human history! I am not argueing
against Christians being involved in politics but I am suspicious of
self-declared “Christian politicians” :-)
> >>>> When debating the existence of God, I do see in some people a
> >> > > sort of personal hatred/anger towards God.
>
> No more than the hatred of Captan Ahab. The God of your myths is a very
> savory villain. And very easy to hate. Then Christians that ignore the teaching
> of Jesus and go around trying to convert us, become a real pain in the ass.
OK. I understand.
> Consider yourself invited, just like you did in order to post this mildly
> insulting display of your ignorance.
> I hope that this will partially dispel some of that ignorance you have >been taught.
I am happy to accept I may misunderstand certain things. There are
some things such as my faith which you will never get me to give up,
but all else is subject to potential change. A few years back now I
used to hang out on the Irish NG and have endless discussions, some
very emotive, with people there about Northern Ireland. It always
struck me how civil the people there were towards one another given
that they were often arguing from the adversary positions of those
excusing violence and deep seated divisions which seemed, and still do
to some extend, insurmountable. We managed to hold it together enough
to debate. What I took from it was an understanding of how people
think and how they saw the same events I saw, how "them" saw "us" and
why. There was a lot of ignorance from those outside the UK and
Ireland, but equally, there were things I learnt that I was not aware
of and it made me research certain things from more objective
sources.
> >>>>Do you see what I am driving at?
>
> Yes, I believe that it's a very common mistake by theist. You are so certain your sky pixie exist,
> that the very idea that other don't share your belief is unacceptable.
Well yes and no. I do think it is right to love and trust God but I
also recognise that most people will not. If some are predestined not
to believe and I have no way of knowing who they are, then it would be
a waste of my energies to try to convert them. I believe that only God
can bring people to faith, and that He does so in His time and
according to His will, not mine! I believe that it is a divine mystery
how exactly this happens. That is why I am embarrassed by bad
evangelists who go in for the hard sell. (and yes, there is some
Christianese in those sentences. Sorry!)
> That's correct you don't agree, so we have to be wrong because you
> are infallible.
The only person I believe was infallible is Christ. Yes I think I am
right about the existence of God and so what? You also think that you
are right? It is human nature to differ.
>Your collection of Bronze age myths, has told you that it's true.
> If you believe that there is no way you can be wrong,
You seem certain that I am wrong. How does that differ?
> you are by definition a Bigot.
All Christians are bigots? Isn't that a bit ... well, "bigoted"?
You can be rude to Christians and accuse us all of bigotry if you
like, or you could actually talk to a few of us and try to find mutual
understanding. When you refer to social issues as though only your
world-view is legitimate and rant about the intolerance of Christians
as though we were all a dangerous threat to civic society, does it
ever occur to you that atheists like you might also seem threatening
and arrogant to Christians like me?
> closed, and people disagreeing with you upsets up sets you, I suggest you spend more time at
> Christian functions.
>
My friend. One of us does indeed appear to be upset that somebody
disagrees with him!