"Witnessing"

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Well, it's one thing to provoke others to examine their belief system. I think we all do that with one another. I think we can do that with respect for one another’s viewpoints also.

It could be just me; I'm a bit sensitive as you know.

But it seems to me that the "Friends" part of "AFF" is disintegrating to the point that we are not accomplishing anything in the way of friendship, edification, enlightening each other, ect.

I feel like you don't respect those of us who profess to be Christians, and realizing this dissapoints me.

Maybe my time here is just coming to and end and for some reason I'm having a hard time letting go of it.

If you wouldn't mind, could you point out some specific things in this thread that offended you? I realize some of my posts lately have been a bit more blunt than usual, and I apologize for that.

I know what you mean about letting go. I tried to leave AFF once or twice before, but couldn't help but come back, after a while.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

If you wouldn't mind, could you point out some specific things in this thread that offended you? I realize some of my posts lately have been a bit more blunt than usual, and I apologize for that.

I know what you mean about letting go. I tried to leave AFF once or twice before, but couldn't help but come back, after a while.

In particular, I don't think anyone here would argue with the opening post. Would they?

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Yes, it's very clear to me that most Christians don't really believe much of what they say they believe.

Originally Posted by Timmy

If you wouldn't mind, could you point out some specific things in this thread that offended you? I realize some of my posts lately have been a bit more blunt than usual, and I apologize for that.

I know what you mean about letting go. I tried to leave AFF once or twice before, but couldn't help but come back, after a while.

It wasn't that I was offended; I often think you are funny.

I feel bad that you think Christians have no credibility. In other words, you are saying that you don't see anyone who you feel really lives up to being what a Christian should be, or anyone who even actually believes what they say they believe.

So you aren’t able to say that while you don’t agree with what we believe, you respect us for living our beliefs.

This dawned on me while I was reading this post, and to be fair it’s not just you who feels this way, so I should not have pointed you out.

It's made me think long and hard Timmy. I want to live what I say I believe.

Gandhi once told a reporter who was trying to get a story from him as he was leaving on a train "my life is my message." I want to be able to say that also.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Gandhi once told a reporter who was trying to get a story from him as he was leaving on a train "my life is my message." I want to be able to say that also.

And another quote attributed to Gandhi "I like your Christ but dislike your Christians' which is what I think I often hear Timmy saying. So many times Christians are all about things besides what we need to be about.... mostly because we are human and flawed.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

And another quote attributed to Gandhi "I like your Christ but dislike your Christians' which is what I think I often hear Timmy saying. So many times Christians are all about things besides what we need to be about.... mostly because we are human and flawed.

Actually, I like nearly all the Christians I know. And yes, I do like most of the things Jesus is said to have said and done. Some of them? Not so much. Like promising a reward of eternal life for someone who forsakes his family for Him. Or saying that if you don't believe, you are condemned. Or that you must forgive 70 times 7 times. At least not in all cases. I wouldn't want a battered wife to be that forgiving, for example. But yes, a lot of His teachings are good.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Amanah

It wasn't that I was offended; I often think you are funny.

I feel bad that you think Christians have no credibility. In other words, you are saying that you don't see anyone who you feel really lives up to being what a Christian should be, or anyone who even actually believes what they say they believe.

So you aren’t able to say that while you don’t agree with what we believe, you respect us for living our beliefs.

This dawned on me while I was reading this post, and to be fair it’s not just you who feels this way, so I should not have pointed you out.

It's made me think long and hard Timmy. I want to live what I say I believe.

Gandhi once told a reporter who was trying to get a story from him as he was leaving on a train "my life is my message." I want to be able to say that also.

I said most, not all.

Maybe some examples would help. Titus2woman gave one: that the lost will be tormented forever in hell. Most everyone here says they believe that, but really? In my experience, most who say they believe that don't act like they believe it. They don't witness much, if at all. (Christianese "witness" ) They can't or won't defend the belief against challenges such as questioning the fairness or justice of it.

A lot of people say they believe in the age of accountability: that a child who dies before being able to understand his choice to believe or not is not held accountable, and will go to heaven. But if they really believe that, then they must also believe that it is a loving act of mercy to kill a baby -- or to have an abortion. The child will for sure go to heaven. But letting a child live past the age of accountability is risky for that child: he or she may end up in hell. In fact, the way is narrow and few find it, so the chances are in favor of eternal torment. How could it possibly not be the most loving thing you can do, to kill children? Some try to respond with "it's a sin", which doesn't matter at all -- in fact, it makes it all the more heroic, to risk your own fate for a a child. Thankfully, almost no one actually does think killing children is a good idea. The only explanation I have is that they do not really believe in hell and/or the age of accountability. I.e., they either don't believe in eternal torment for the lost, or they don't believe children who die will avoid it.

But despite all that, I do try to respect you all, and your right to believe what you do. (Or say you do. ) Sometimes, I like to prod you into understanding some of the ramifications and conclusions of those beliefs. Usually though, I don't think it works.