Natural Citizen
American Made
- Aug 8, 2016
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I know exactly who you're talking about and here's my reaction: NOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOOO!!!!!
Actually, on second thought, you probably do have a good point that he would liven up the religion subforum. He's like a lightning rod for controversy. The problem, imo, is that some people wrongly assume that what he is talking about is actual Christianity, but it's not. Calvinism is wrong and demonic, iyam!
I think the moral of the story is be careful what you ask for. You just might get it. Then you have to ask yourself if you're actually ready for what you've asked for. Like his beliefs or not, he'll force you to defend your position. Well...let's say that he'd definitely invite the opportunity if one so desires that level of dialogue.
I dunno. I'll have to think on it. USMB may it be ready. But there certainly would be ample opportunity to defend one's beliefs in a strictly biblical way and to show off their understanding. Or lack thereof in some instances, without having to deal with the antics of non-believers just looking to disrupt and cause flotsam and jetsam.
I always did enjoy reading the faith based stuff back then. Of course, I egged him on a lot, too, so. lol. Boy, did he pee on everyone's Cheerios. But he was civil about it, though.
Yes, I agree that posters like him definitely force one to defend their position. So it does bring about interesting and more in-depth debates. Sometimes though, you get others who are misguided getting into it with him, so it's like the blind leading the blind. And then those who are on the fence reading the thread but not posting can get the wrong idea about Christianity. To put it bluntly, Calvinists like him tend to turn people away from God and Christianity.
Not to get off topic, but it's unfortunate that there are believers who are correct on SOME things, but they completely leave out one of the most (if not the most) important attributes of God, love. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13, it doesn't matter if one has knowledge, faith that can move mountains, gifts and talents, etc... they are nothing but a clanging cymbal without love. That's what comes to mind when I think of that dude, a clanging cymbal. haha (but maybe I'm being too hard on him?)
Yeah, those debates did get rather heated at times. I don't remember any cusses or anything lke that, though. No personal attacks or anything like that.
It's possible that some of it may have turned the casual passer-by away, but I think mainly because the dialogue was so complex. You really had to be aware of the conversation, the references and the different belief systems to follow conversation. Particularly with the Calvinist because you have to actually know your scripture to know when it's being proof-texted and when tenor is being disregarded.
I dunno. You're probably right. I'm not even on here much anymore anyway. The thread just reminded me of him for some reason.