Originally posted by lemon limeBut no atheists here are saying that they believe and then not acting on it. We are talking about is it possible to decide to believe, not what happens once one has believed.
[b]Acting on a belief is what constitutes and gives meaning to having made a decision. Saying you believe something but not demonstrating it by what you do is not belief... it's lip service.[/b]
Originally posted by FMFI'm curious to know why you would you try enlisting my help in criticising someone I don't have a problem with.
What prevents you from addressing criticism of an idea to the person who is propagating the idea and instead address it to someone who reiterates it in order to disagree with it? It's a very common ~ and interesting ~ kind of behaviour on the part of Christians in this community.
I personally don't have a problem with how GB goes about talking to atheists. It's not how I would go about doing it, but not all atheists think exactly alike just as not all Christians think exactly alike... do you get it now?
Originally posted by lemon limeI am not trying to enlist your help. What is interesting is the reluctance of some Christians ~ on a discussion & debate form, lest we forget ~ to be seen to disagree with certain other Christians [even on fundamental things] but instead they seek to disagree with those Christians' ideas when non-Christians reiterate them in the course of querying them. It's as if they are hamstrung in some way ~ and it certainly makes some posters seem rather unprincipled on occasion.
I'm curious to know why you would you try enlisting my help in criticising someone I don't have a problem with.
Originally posted by lemon limeYou said on the previous page: "I believe it's a waste of effort to ask atheists about an afterlife". Do you think this thread's OP and Grampy Bobby's contributions on this thread are "a waste of effort"?
I personally don't have a problem with how GB goes about talking to atheists.
Originally posted by FMFThis is why I get a lot of stick here; because I am prepared to "break ranks". Lemon Lime for example will accuse me of attacking and undermining the faith of other Christians simply because I disagree with them directly.
I am not trying to enlist your help. What is interesting is the reluctance of some Christians ~ on a discussion & debate form, lest we forget ~ to be seen to disagree with certain other Christians [even on fundamental things] but instead they seek to disagree with those Christians' ideas when non-Christians reiterate them in the course of querying them. It's as if they are hamstrung in some way.
Originally posted by divegeesterThat's like asking if it's possible to decide not to believe. Is not believing also a decision?
But no atheists here are saying that they believe and then not acting on it. We are talking about it is possible to decide to believe, not what happens once one has believed.
I get where you and FMF and big snarling dog are going with this, but I don't buy into the presumption that belief in God is based on nothing but faith. I was an atheist before I became a Christian, so it would be presumptuous of you to think I'm unaware of what atheists believe.
26 May 15
Originally posted by lemon limeBUMP
[b]Acting on a belief is what constitutes and gives meaning to having made a decision. Saying you believe something but not demonstrating it by what you do is not belief... it's lip service.[/b]
Do you then believe that belief in Christ alone is NOT enough for "salvation" and that there must be demonstrations of belief and acts/good works too?
26 May 15
Originally posted by lemon limeFor some reason you seem to be subtly changing you position on this. Earlier you were saying it was a "waste of time" to ask atheists about an afterlife but now you are saying there is more to it than just faith.
That's like asking if it's possible to decide [b]not to believe. Is not believing also a decision?
I get where you and FMF and big snarling dog are going with this, but I don't buy into the presumption that belief in God is based on nothing but faith. I was an atheist before I became a Christian, so it would be presumptuous of you to believe I'm unaware of what atheists believe.[/b]
26 May 15
Originally posted by lemon limeThat you were an atheist in the past does not give you some special insight into the mind of all atheists. Furthermore, "atheist" or not is irrelevant, all of us were in the same unrepentant and unregenerated spiritual condition before we knew christ.
I was an atheist before I became a Christian, so it would be presumptuous of you to think I'm unaware of what atheists believe.
Originally posted by divegeesterThat you were an atheist in the past does not give you some special insight into the mind of all atheists.
That you were an atheist in the past does not give you some special insight into the mind of all atheists. Furthermore, "atheist" or not is irrelevant, all of us were in the same unrepentant and unregenerated spiritual condition before we knew christ.
Of course not, because not all atheists think exactly alike just as not all Christians think exactly alike.
Originally posted by divegeesterFor some reason you're finding a subtle change in position where none exists. Atheists don't believe in an afterlife. I'm no longer an atheist. Not all atheists think alike just as not all Christians think alike. You seem to be struggling with how to go about dismantling a fellow Christians belief... maybe this is a task you should leave for atheists.
For some reason you seem to be subtly changing you position on this. Earlier you were saying it was a "waste of time" to ask atheists about an afterlife but now you are saying there is more to it than just faith.
26 May 15
Originally posted by lemon limeThis seems like rather a paranoid stance to take on a discussion and debate forum populated by people with different beliefs.
You seem to be struggling with how to go about dismantling a fellow Christians belief... maybe this is a task you should leave for atheists.
Originally posted by FMFSeems like a rather lame attempt to paint me as being paranoid. Why do you feel the need to bring out your buckets of paint and broad stroke brush when you can't think of anything else to say?
This seems like rather a paranoid stance to take on a discussion and debate forum populated by people with different beliefs.
Oops, I think I just answered my own question.