all of us believers (myself included) have been allowing ourselves to become involed in a war of words with some non believers. i feel we are just playing right into the hands of those who make these unfriendly remarks about us and just add feul to the fire by doing so. my challenge to you is to turn the other cheek. when some one attacks your belief then bless and pray for them. turn the other cheek. our beliefs have been under attack for thousands of years and have not been defeated. have faith in the lord to fight this battle for you. may god bless and enrich all of his children.
202723
I do not disagree with your "challenge".  At times I find myself wondering if I am ignoring Jesus' advice in Matthew 7:06 ("Do not cast your pearls before swine").  I think it is okay for a Christian to get a little emotional in their defense of the faith...as long as it doesn't cross the line to an uncontrolled anger.\n\nAre our words falling on deaf ears?  Maybe they are hardened "reprobates" and they only come here to be "a thorn in the side". But maybe, just maybe, deep inside they come to this page because they know that they might be wrong...
656672
i'm not one of those people you described but i'm wondering why do you go to this site and ask people their opinion if you are not willing to listen to what they want to say? stay away or be respectful of the beliefs of others. go figure! peace, love & unity. cheers!
659936
Don't worry my dear, very soon I shall be sending something your way that will test your faith, and only the strong of faith and mind will survive. I have great confidence that you will survive, but many of those of whom you speak... I should say no more, I have already said too much. People who are not strong in their own faith will always try to find others to make them stronger. But it does not work that way, as I am sure you know. They would even send Me, the center of their cult, (which, by the way, I am fairly certain I warned against iodizing in My 10 Commandments. In fact, if I am not much mistaken, it was the First, and the most important.) threatening Instant Messages, telling Me to have respect for Myself. They would try to save their own Lord and God.
211752
Nope, it's not just you.\n\nFrom what I've seen, the ppl replying that way are the ones who are "holier than thou" and like to quote scriptures as a way to back up their self-righteous behavior.\n\nOpinions are great, until someone tries to trample all over someone else's!\n\nI imagine I'm like many, in that if someone tries to shove their opinion down my throat it usually makes me stand that much more firm in my own belief.  My opinion is my truth and not that of anyone else's.
459786
One of our biggest problems--and the fastest way of turning others off to faith--is that so many of us believers think our way is the only way to approach God.  We don't allow for differences in the body of believers.  Jesus had dinner with tax collecors, allowed a prostitute to anoint him, and had fellowship with the woman at the well.  In fact, many of the most powerful moments in his ministry involved his encounters with folk who scandalized the establishment.  \n\nWho are we to try to ban someone just because he has a few ideas different than ours if Jesus refused to do that?\n\nPS for David:  I hope your sabbath was all you hoped for.  Blessings!
168795
As a Christian, I have never forced my religion on anyone, nor have I try to convince them my way was the only way. Yes granted you have some cut throats out there, but not all are that way. there are some really good people out there, both believers and non. You guys are intitled to the same freedom of religion (or lack of) as me, it is NOT my right or duty to push you. if a non-beliver asks me a Q i will answer or edify, but never r we to force it on you. Those who do that are wolves in sheeps clothing.
506074
At this point.  thanks for confirming the word I got from Holy Spirit a few moments ago....be back later, possibly much later.  I do cherish some relationships I have formed with believers and 2 people I saw saved.  But it is becoming harmful.\n\nBlessings,\nDavid
83168
People push it on you because they believe strongly, that they have found the only path to heaven. They are just trying to bring you into the faith because they care about you and want you to go to heaven too. The unfortunate thing is most people don't know how to go about "selling" their faith to others, and sadly, end up offending more than they convert. It is not intentional, it is an unfortunate by product of their good intentions. I am sorry that this friend has made you feel like your faith is a lie, or rather that he is calling it that. Thank you however, for keeping an open mind about the whole thing. Christianity can be a bit messed up at times. Most Christian faiths think that any other Christian faith that isn't theirs is going to hell too, so don't feel too bad. The way I look at it, if you are right with God, that is all that really matters.
224996
I know how you feel. It's disheartening, and doesn't seem fair. Some of the attacks seem completely groundless, once you really look at the claims of Jesus.\n\nSome people have had bad experiences with Christians, so everything is filtered through that. They've never been exposed to people really living out of faith and loving others, they've just gotten the negative hypocritical behavior.\n\nSome listen to Christians: There are many CHristians who approach their faith negatively. ("Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not speak!" says Paul, I think, right before he says this is ridiculous, for restrictions do not have the power to save.) We treat the world as an enemy and attack it for what we believe it does wrong -- then get surprised when it views us negatively. Christians are very negative sometimes, so Christianity is attacked as such.\n\nThe other big reason is simply because they really don't want to understand your viewpoint. It's more convenient for them to attack Christianity because they won't actually have to think through their own lives and compare, maybe even make a change. Everyone is like this: It's easier to talk over someone than to listen, easier to attack than taking wounds, easier to blame someone else besides ourselves.\n\nChristians sometimes get a raw deal because people don't want to take the risk of truly thinking through the claims of the faith and comparing their own philosophy to it, then perhaps being forced to make decisions they don't want to make. Pride and self-comfort is an issue.\n\nHang in there. You're on the right track -- Jesus didn't just atone for sin, he was a very tangible representation of how much God truly loved us -- and you're willing to speak up in a kind way about it. That's good stuff.
423770
I am very open to having logical, intelligent conversations, and even debates, with people that respect MY belief as well.\n\nI respect people's right to believe what they want, and have no problems with it until they begin condemning, name-calling, or just being outright rude (the whole sit down and shut up comment from my brother/sister would get a good butt-kicking...).\n\nIt is sad and disturbing that SOME Christians find it easier to just hate everyone who is different from themselves then to actually LEARN something new.  Ask questions, discuss thoughts...etc.  It's not hard, but I think that they are intolerant of difference.\n\nOn top of that, I feel that they fear challenges.  They may not be secure enough in their faith to understand others, as well as defend theirs when the going gets tough.  Again, this is not all Christians, just the ones who feel we are attacking them by our very existance.\n\nI think it will be a cold day in their hell before they ALL respect us COMPLETELY.  All we can do is continue smiling and be the better person.  We are strong enough in our non-beliefs to continue on with our lives without hating people for their choices.  They are the ones that, according to them, have to live with their choices in the "afterlife".
143209
Damn . . . I can say this . . . you are persistant.\n\nThose types are the tip of the Iceburg . . . you need to realize . . . that there are others . . . at are a lot more subtle about their actions . . . on how they condemn others . . . who believe their faith is true.
426964
Jesus said you're blessed when things like this happen to you.\n\nI've gotten many thumbs down for answers that were scripture only.  That's when I know it's not me they are disagreeing with but God.  Why should you take on fighting God's battles for Him?  Speak the Word, and let Him handle the results.
655026
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.
111454
I can more than understand your frustrations with your fellow christians.  I get a tad frustrated with other atheists / agnostics when they jump down christians' throats.  But I am starting to just let it go and not get too heavily involved, if at all---there will always be a few christians and a few atheists/agnostics who will continue this eternal throat-jumping sport.  \n\nLet them.  I try hard not to listen (or read) to the christians proselytizing harshly anymore and I stop listening to the atheists/agnostics once they start name-calling or putting each other down.  I just don't listen and skip over the answers that involves name-calling, putting-down or proselytizing. \n\nSimple as that---stop reading, stop listening.  I just let others know that not all christians or atheists/agnostics are like that to those who are worried or wondering why, like you just did.  :-)   *hug*
558829
I do not think there are than many people bashing God.  there are a few here, since they can get a rise from many people.  In general the number is the same as always.  Do not worry, if your God is correct he wills over come all.  Plus, all that is asked for you to keep your faith.  You are not accountable for others faith.  They do not have to believe as you do for you to go to heaven.  Leave them alone and let them say as they do.
385442
They are just angry, and want to make other people feel bad with them, it is a game.  I personally love talking about God, and how I feel about Him, and how He has affected my life.  It is unfortunate that I have to sift though so much garbage on here to find sincerity, but it is on here.  God Bless You.
293826
Why are you trying to sow dissent here?  There are people on here trying to keep it less like a battlefield and more like a place for important questions on faith, and questions like this don't help.