tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251693339364322895.post5906755539532862384..comments2024-02-16T07:42:10.015-06:00Comments on SKEPTIC REFLECTIONS: THE STUBBORNNESS OF BELIEFJOHN PHILLIPShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06357524637192990158noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251693339364322895.post-54176533596473658632013-10-15T18:36:04.369-05:002013-10-15T18:36:04.369-05:00Lisa,
I wouldn't have thought that you would ...Lisa,<br /><br />I wouldn't have thought that you would consider "evangelizing" to be a "dirty word." I consider it simply wishing to witness for your beliefs. I guess I would consider myself as evangelizing, at least to the extent that I do want others to know what I believe. But I also wanted to write this blog to hone my thinking.<br /><br />Harking back to my essay on the stubbornness of belief, in my responses I have tried very hard both to understand alternative points of view and to consider them. I haven't always been successful, but I have tried.<br /><br />You have told me that I am the only atheist that you know. I would think you would be most interested in following my thinking and understanding my perspective, if only because the difference from your own is so great.JOHN PHILLIPShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357524637192990158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251693339364322895.post-8930995543630073062013-10-14T22:43:47.805-05:002013-10-14T22:43:47.805-05:00Even satan has the knowledge that Jesus died for o...Even satan has the knowledge that Jesus died for our salvation...<br />Yes, your blog is about religious belief and that is where I speak from...and you are the skeptic and there is where you speak from... Since I am convinced that God is real I can only be relevant in speaking from my belief system...I guess that is why it seems like evangelizing...it's just my point of view... Maybe someone with your view will comment and then you can find confirmation in your belief system.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17878921756248563809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251693339364322895.post-63987363638665349642013-10-13T16:58:48.955-05:002013-10-13T16:58:48.955-05:00Lisa,
I understand that you are uncomfortable with...Lisa,<br />I understand that you are uncomfortable with labels, and I realize that this is a blog about religious belief and skepticism, but virtually all of your comments are in support of your deep faith. And frankly some of them do not have much relevance to the essay that you are commenting on. Let's say that you are evangelizing rather than proselytizing. It is a difference in connotation. On the other hand, I believe that Christians are defined as those believing in Christ's death and resurrection for our salvation. You are surely a Christian.JOHN PHILLIPShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357524637192990158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7251693339364322895.post-89287005456868951362013-10-12T23:50:25.349-05:002013-10-12T23:50:25.349-05:00Right, again...proselytizing has no real value. Te...Right, again...proselytizing has no real value. Telling your experience and living honestly according to your beliefs does. I think sometimes when I have expressed my views, you may have thought I was trying to convert, it is easy to be defensive...but I am just trying to tell you how I see it. And yes, belief does not change easily! I still attend the SDA church but there are belief systems within the church I do not believe in any longer. So a attend a Sabbath school outside the church held facilities. It hasn't been an easy change but is the best change I have made in all my years as a "christian"...now I don't even like that label...I think of myself more as a follower of Christ. But the "church" offers a community of people that are wanting to live unselfish, loving lives, who reach out to others and fellowship and support and I find that a real blessing...as does my study group. So there is value outside of a set of beliefs that I don't always agree with. Much like the early Christians who were there to support each other, in simple fellowship and sharing...though we could be much more like them. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17878921756248563809noreply@blogger.com