Getting back on track here:
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colpat wrote
(Post 638383)
My interest in an Raving Atheists forum, where the gloves come off, ol' phella's can spit and whittle and where a nice grown up discussion is encouraged is: for me to become a better teacher by learning the atheist language and be able to foster better understanding of an atheist world view.
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What, do you contend, is
the "atheist language?" And how do you propose to understand incredulity in the very thing that you place all of you faith?
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colpat wrote
Much of today's teaching is based on gross misinformation.
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Teaching on what? Christian theology? When was the last time Christians were in 100% agreement?
I'm 20-something years younger than you, but I don't recall a time when there weren't Roman Catholic Christians, Greek and Eastern Orthodox Christians, and various Protestant Christians, not to mention Jehovah's Witness Christian, Mormon Christians, snake-handling Christians, Unitarian Christians, black Christians with an activist tradition who are heir to one set of Christian sensibilities, and politically conservative white Christians with another set of Christian sensibilites, and on and on and on.
I have been aware of this as the status quo for the bulk of my time on planet Earth. When was it ever different?
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colpat wrote
I welcome the opportunity to engage in a rational discussion of ideas and ideals.
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Ostensibly, we all do. Though my experiene here tells me that theists and atheists seldom agree as to what is rational when it comes to a discussion on religion and irreligion.
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colpat wrote
I have rare, but valuable experience. I roomed with an atheist for 13 months as an Aviation Cadet in 1953.
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I can beat that: I was raised in a Christian household for 18 years! I was married to a nominal Muslim for 10 years, and over 90 percent of the people I interact with on a daily basis subscribe to some kind of theological perspective as it pertains to unknowable matters. :P
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colpat wrote
The result was both strengthened our own world-view and a great friendship.
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I love my Christian family and friends, though I avoid having deep discussions with them about their respective religions. Past experience has informed me that it does little to enhance interpersonal relationships.
But who knows? Maybe I'll learn something valuable from you about how that can be accomplished. Long ago, I discovered that one way to achieve that is to make sure it's one-way conversation with minimal input on my end. It's not very satisfying for me, but then I have this virtual place to vent.
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colpat wrote
I respect your refuge, your haven.
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And I appreciate that sensibility. :thumbsup:
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colpat wrote
I am located on the Jeebus spectrum at the far right. I asked Jesus to be my Boss at age 8,(saved, but able to backslide)
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I think I know what you mean here, but I'm still forced to make a lot of assumptions. You didn't literally communicate with someone called Jesus, did you? I take it you mean that you made a bargain with the Jesus in your mind (that is, as you imagine a Jesus to be) and vowed to do everything in your power not to offend this Jesus.
Do you believe this Jesus is constantly monitoring your behavior and thougts? If you believe that, wouldn't that make it extremely difficult to "backslide?"
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colpat wrote
Married 1954 to a Proverbs 31 lady. Before we married we covenanted to base our family on Proverbs 3:5-6. That is my experience. I cite it only to help you understand from where I am coming.
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Congratulations on your long marriage.
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colpat wrote
I will do my best to choose the correct thread/s for the real festivities.
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Good luck.