Tried Religion vs. Politics

Contentious? It shouldn't cause an argument unless someone makes it so. It seems to always happen. The best thing to do issue each person to state his ir her point politely without insulting or belittling the other person for their statements here.

On who's part? I'd love to live in a world where everybody agreed, where there was no disagreement, unfortunately, as lamb states above, that will be when it's TO LATE to argue. I like a good debate. And I agree with Pointless...no insulting or belittling allowed.

It would be bliss to live in a world where no one disagrees. Any perceived insulting or belittling is unintentional unless stated otherwise

I've been off work for four days, three scheduled off and today I am ummmm sick in a way I won't describe. lol Anyway, I got a bit tired of hanging at FB as it is the same stuff posted over and over and everyone wants to respond with "Obama sucks" and yes he does - but can you elaborate...lol. Yeah, gave me a mental and spiritual and emotional workout as Sulynsi described. Her thread, poor lady and I do mean, she is a lady in how she approaches it all...but her thread was the scene of a multi car pile up between a few of us and her email inbox overflowed. lol I felt kinda sorry for her. But she's handled it well.

Yes, emotions tend to run high in those two topics. I think, and it is only my opinon, that it is because they are very personal subjects. I mean, one is how we govern ourselves and one is who we allow to govern us. I don't understand why people get offended when you state you are what you are and elaborate on what you believe. For instance, I believe I am saved, going to heaven for instance...and someone comes up (hypothetically speaking) and is offended because they think I am saying I am better than them. ??? What? Anyway, I may return once in awhile. May even post a thing or two. I do plan on keeping up with responses (if needed) in the discussions I participated in.

I feel bad about some of the times I lost my temper. lol But thank you. I really admired your even and measured approach. I am not able to manage that all the time. Need to work on that. and yes...if we burned calories I'd be back in a size eight! lol

Maybe I should have said lions, tigers and bears were present. We all wound up friends and agreeing to disagree. Don't get me wrong, it got a bit hairy for awhile, but misunderstandings were cleared up and things are now ok. I just felt it was a bit more spirited (pardon the pun) than politics ever was.

I tend to like spicey despite my describing the experience as akin to being burnt at the stake. lol Humor in a post draws readers I suppose. Which is why I put it like that. yes, ones worldview tends to be very important to them. I was astonished though that I was asked to be human first...as if my beliefs were something I could lay down and pick up at will. THEY are me. I can't imagine being me without them. I don't just half heartedly wake up in the morning and say, I think I'll be a Christian today. I am a Christian to my core. Not perfect mind you, that is not what I mean...but it is who I AM. Being a Christian influences all my thoughts. And I'd expect someone who claims to be say...a Buddist to be thouroughly a Buddist to the core. And why take offense cause I CHOSE to be a Christian and you (rhetorical) chose to be a Buddist? I just don't get it I guess.

Of course, and I am quite sure of Whom I believe, as you are. We just have different approaches. I believe there is nothing to be gained by arguing with people about God. They won't be convinced by the best argument, but only by the Spirit of God.

This is true. And we must not operate in the flesh, but in the Spirit. I don't pretend that I know it all, I share what I believe, what I do know. And I stand up to those who tell me I shouldn't speak up about what I believe, what I know to be the truth. So pray for me. Pray that it is truly OF THE SPIRIT that my motives and words are coming from.

Yes, I realize I am. And it doesn't help that I am opinionated as well. But aren't we told to be SURE of Him in whom we believe?

Sin. REALLY HOT TOPIC. I have to say, I got offended when I shouldn't have a few times too. It is so hard to NOT misunderstand when you are speaking of feelings and emotions and beliefs. I stuck it out though, and am glad I did. Gained some insight and I think... a new friend.

Here's how I look at it; I am sure of the truth in God's word. I also believe in being 'nice', but I believe in absolute truth too. So, should I compromise truth for nice? I love my fellow man. I believe everyone has a choice to believe or not believe. But if I REALLY TRULY BELIEVE that God's word is true...and that it contains SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE...I will risk someone's hatred or endure their anger to speak it, share it with them. They can reject it, they can be angry or upset with me. Afterall, the people who do NOT BELIEVE God's word are every bit as willing to share why they don't believe, correct? And the idea of compromise, tolerance...contain the subtle suggestion that those who know the truth should shut up and sit down and when we do that, the only voice is the one who does not believe the truth of God's word.

Our job is to introduce it to them in away that not being offensive. If you offend them, they will not listen. If it be by a little bit, or whatever. Introduce it softly and let the spirit work on them. It is the spirit that witnesses the truth to them and does the conversion, not us. If we ram it to them to hard, they will just turn off and the spirit will not be there.

Some folks are offended JUST because. lol In any discussion online, misunderstanding happens due to not being face to face, and because sometimes we all write differently than we speak. If I know in my heart I was not being hateful or judgmental, and they are offended at what is said...all I can do is apologize. Doesn't the Word say also Isaiah 55:11 11 So shall my word be 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. You just never know what a seed planted may grow into. Even if not immediately. And as I said to Peavy, I think it is important that ego stays out of the motivation. And that is the hard part for me. My Irish temper is easily aroused. lol