I must say that I am very frusterated. That's how I now feel about this topic. So, please forgive me if I have been standoffish

I'm amused.

Livesforchrist, I am sure you do feel frustrated. Online communication can be really upsetting and confusing - but I think we all get better at it as we go. Most of us are pretty compassionate here. It's a good group of very intelligent people. It would be wonderful if you wanted to chat with us here - you seem like a bright, sweet person who really wants to explore devotion.

Many of the Christians who have been here have become frustrated with the circular arguments. Many of them have just left because they couldn't handle the fact that there are people who just don't believe what they believe and are willing to ask the hard questions. Many Christians really don't know what they believe, so rather than stay and discuss, they feel persecuted when called on their beliefs. And many just look on in amusement at us heathens.

I don't think we "hate" anyone on this board.

If a person "broke" or "feels persecuted" or feels "baited and cornered" then that person needs to figure out why they felt that way. A person's faith (or lack thereof) is a serious matter. They are essentially placing a wager with their eternal soul. Many people get very touchy about that, especially if they have no idea why they made their bet.

Some people through the years here have had no problem with the give and take - their faith is solid and they absolutely positively know their bet is valid. Many don't. It's not fair to cry foul or feel persecuted just because that person doesn't understand their bet. Just as you don't show up unprepared to give an oral presentation, you don't dive into a religious discussion on an open forum thinking everyone believes as you do.

In this case, Niccollette asked a simple question and we began with simple answers and further questions. It's not a simple, closed question. It's a very deep question.

She just didn't like the answers.

Hello Nicolette,

I have started many, many threads on here, but that doesn't make them my threads. As long as people are polite, and they stay on topic, then any member can join in a thread.

The thread you started has the title 'Christianity' and, in it, you asked certain questions. People have tried to respond to those questions and to explain why they feel as they do.

You seem to be suggesting that we are going off topic, but I think that we are explaining our viewpoints. Since not everyone on here is Christian, you will need to know where the poster is coming from ~ that is if the posts are to make any real sense. I don't think that we have gone off the topic of the thread title ~ 'Christianity'.

I would say that people have been quite gentle in their responses, and not unkind. I certainly don't feel that I have been unfair on you and I hope that you do not feel that way, either.

I cannot answer the question about why God made us, because I do not know if God did make us. I can consider why we may be here and how we may have got here, which iare similar ideas, as Jilly commented.

Let me answer my own question lol. I understand completely what you are saying. So let's talk about this more, why do you believe God made us. I believe He made us for His glory and to serve him. Revelation 1:6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

mbas, I don't try to FORCE someone to believe what I believe. I am not all mad that you don't share my faith. But, I can't say I support what you believe.

Afer you telling me that I will abandon the faith sometime, is what really got me angry. That's the whole thing I was trying to get at.

[quote=liveforchrist]Let me answer my own question lol. I understand completely what you are saying. So let's talk about this more, why do you believe God made us. I believe He made us for His glory and to serve him. Revelation 1:6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. [/quote] Since you are still here lol, I get to answer your question, again lol. I am not certain that "God" made us. Perhaps a "God" did make us. Since I am generally a happy person, I can say that I'm happy that I'm here. However, think of people who are not happy, or have serious illnesses or have lived through or died in trauma. Or babies that die. Why would a loving "God" create them, just to have them die horribly? Why would "God" create someone just to torture them, or have them die in a war, or a car wreck, or be consumed in a house fire? What's the purpose in creating something only to intend it to be destroyed in a horrible way? Why would a "God" make them, other to torture His creation, lol? I am certain that a combination of my father's sperm and my mother's egg combined to make me. I inherited certain genes from each parent which made me physically what I am today. I wish I could have avoided the cancer gene, but so it goes, lol. That I am sure of. It's not the answer you want, but then again, you're still here lol so you invited us to answer lol.

Statistically, you have a good chance of going through a period of believing different things.

If you don't like that, take it up with God. But don't blame me for stating mathematical proofs. It's you that have the problem with your own faith. I don't have a problem with mine.

I think that the forum simply isn't what Nicolette was expecting ~ not that anyone was actually unpleasant to her.

I do agree, though, as I said before, that we all need to choose our words carefully, especially with new (young) members, who may not be used to religious discussion boards.

I don't hate Christians. I don't think that any members I know hate Christians, but there may be some aspects of Christianity that they don't like, of course.

There used to be a lot more Christian members but, yes, I think some did find the discussions a bit repetitive and others felt upset when they heard their beliefs being questioned and/or criticised. Some even considered that to be a personal insult ~ which it isn't, of course.

I do think that this kind of discussion could be difficult for some (young) believers, which is why I would suggest that they only take part in such conversations, if they really feel that they are ready for them ~ no-one wants to upset them.