Whether  you are for or against GOD, do you think it has been worth your time to speak your mind here?
608766
Actually, yes, my time is well spent here.  I don't know that I have converted anyone here, but I have accomplished several other things...\n\n1)  I believe I have strengthened the faith of some other Christians here.\n\n2)  I have learned a lot about the beliefs of others here.  This has helped to strengthen my own beliefs, and I believe it will serve me in evangelizing to others in the real world.\n\n3)  It has given me something to do.  I've really been struggling with depression, and this has given me something real to look forward to.\n\n4)  I hope I have showed some that not all Christians are idiots who follow their faith blindly.
1020249
It is wrong to do this, but if you are asking me and not God, yes I would
50841
See if this may be of help to you\nSince I became aware of what I am sharing with you I have a whole new outlook on myself and live and God!\nBlessings-\nTim
793836
If so inclined, I could expand your mind.
572333
do you?\n\nsorry I couldn't help it\n\nSometimes it makes you think in a way you haven't before. To be able to shed more light on the subject and find the perfect answer for yourself. Some of these questions in here are so vauge its almost hard not to ask what or why or some such question.
627151
yes if one acts this way they question their beliefs which can cause to a new synthesis which will strengthen faith.
385799
It depends on the attitude of the person I'm speaking to.  As long as they're not trying to convert me I'm open minded but as soon as someone tries to hand me a copy of watchtower or asks me to consider taking jesus into my heart after waking me up at 8am I get rather defensive.
541193
I guess it depends on what you mean by telling it openly.  When I first got here, I was a little baffled by the backlash of people wanting to know who Christians were to condemn them to hell and why did we say we would pray for them.  I gave what I thought were good explanations of these ideas.  How Christians don't want anyone to go to hell and since we believe it is a real place, we are obligated to help as many people avoid it as we can.  We pray because we are commanded to.  It's an act of love to pray for others.  \n\nI just didn't understand what the problem was.\n\nUntil I was answering a question and noticed that someone -purportedly a Christian, offended by the question -answered "Go to hell."  And further down the line another said, "You're going to hell.  I'll pray for you."\n\nSuddenly, I got what all the fuss was about.  \n\nLater, I answered a question by a teen who said he was ready to tell all atheists to go to hell.  This was my reply to him:\n\nI think we get really frustrated at the point where we are trying to make something happen that is not in our ability to accomplish.\n\nFor the record, I don't think we have any business condemning or wishing anyone to hell. I believe that hell is a real place and that people are going there, but I'm not happy about that.\n\nUnfortunately, you and I cannot make anyone do what we believe they should do. Our job is not to make them. Our job is to be the best example we can be. Even when others are hateful to us and to God.\n\nIf you look at how Jesus handled people, the ones He was hardest on were the Pharisees. Why? Because they were the ones who should have known God's word and should have known who He was. Instead they were concerned with trying to make other people follow laws that they themselves were not willing to follow. We should be really careful not to ever repeat their example!\n\nJesus didn't push people to make a decision. He never told anyone they were going to hell. It wasn't like high pressure sales. There is nothing more precious than a human soul. We should absolutely care about the salvation of others. But we have to respect that their salvation is ultimately between them and God. It isn't about us. And if we make it about us, we're going to run the risk of alienating them and run the risk of endangering our souls. \n\nIf trying to persuade others gets us so angry that we say and do things that are unlike Christ, or we allow their derision to discourage us, we could be at risk ourselves.\n\nPray for them (but you don't have to tell them that you are, since most of them seem to take that as criticism), honestly care for them, be the best example to them that you can be. Answer questions when they ask. \n\nJust lose the pressure and you'll feel so much less pressured yourself. God wants salvation for everyone. He'll help you accomplish His will. You don't have to impose your will on others. It's frustrating for you and for them. And that's not what salvation is all about.\n\nIt is a precious gift, to be given to and received by those who are capable of seeing it's value. \n\n\n\n\n\nIn the end, it is our living out Christ's example that will turn people from hell, not trying to scare them into repentance.   While we cannot be afraid to speak the truth in love, we need to prepare ourselves to live and to give a good defense for Christ, but not be offensive on His behalf.  We must trust the power of His Will and His Word more than we trust ourselves.  \n\nIf we try to force people into a decision, we may turn away an honest soul who has been controlled and manipulated all his/her life.  Jesus never did that.  In some cases we have to be willing to let the wheat and the tares grow up together.   In the end, we are all in His Hands.
558132
You have a good argument, and just maybe....
96455
Do you want to do the same ? Have you lost the will to live? Please try GOD.
213329
I certainly do! I've only been involved with Yahoo Answers about a week, but I've already received some very positive responses to answers I've proposed. I'm very happy and excited to know that we have a forum here that allows Christianity to be expressed as much as other forms of religion. The Christians, by and large, seem to be very sincere and helpful-most other participants do too, for that matter.\nAs others have said, God can use this forum as a way to communicate His thoughts, and especially His love to people.\nMay we as Christians be not only sincere, but well-versed in our beliefs and God's Word.\n\n"So shall my word be (like the rain that makes things grow) that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
539423
I have. It's great to see other Christians out there. Keep up the faith.
392628
Yes. I have asked my pastor and friends to share their ideas after answering questions. There have been concepts covered here that I had not thought of before. It has served as a tool that has deepened my understanding and fortified my faith. My church is open to all questions, and we discuss whatever is on our minds on Wednesday nights, so the reaction has been as it always is, very welcoming and non-judgemental. A topic that I am currently mulling over is the concept of hell - whether it is the eternal burning and torture most think it is, or if it is obliteration by being thrown into the lake of fire. I'm leaning towards the latter lately as I have found nothing that indicates that hell is eternal torture.
1154641
I completely agree with you.  I have asked myself numerous times, " Am I doing this for God?"  Especially when I am doing something good for someone or whatever.  I want to be sure that I am doing it for God and not doing it for the purpose of being recognized.  It is way too easy to cross that line and say that you are doing it for God, but if you are already anticipating the attention or if you find that you relish the attention then you need to step back and evaluate things.
985926
I think it does sharpen your beliefs when someone challenges them. Sometimes the anger that people show is insecurity in what they believe. They don't know how to answer a question someone asks them and so they lash out at the person for even asking.  When people ask what I believe it also helps me to examine what I believe and creates a dialog between the two of us.
1026456
1. This question is posted many times every day.\n\n2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:\n\nI believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
457247
Not forcibly, no, but I reserve the right to both disagree with their beliefs and try to change their minds on certain things (not that this usually does any good.)  For example, I think I'm perfectly justified in thinking that fundamentalist Muslims are dead wrong in thinking that we are the Great Satan.  I wish with all my heart that they didn't feel that way, and if they're willing to listen, I'd do anything in my power to try to convince them that they're wrong.  However, I grant them the right to think that we're the Great Satan and to try to convice me that my beliefs are wrong.  \n\nI understand what you're saying, and I agree that it's usually a moot point to try to change people's personal beliefs...Discussion and healthy debate is great, but all participants have to be willing to be a part of the debate.    Like in just about all other situations these days, people need to stop both making bigger debates personal and stop taking everything personally.  If anyone figures out how to do this, let me know.