Vanillanice, you believe that because ARG has managed through ignorance and artifice to really piss-off a large number of people, he has done a good job of “getting through” to them?
Gee, I’d LOVE to hear your opinion of Hitler!
Vanillanice wrote:
Heh.
vanillanice wrote:
ummm, yeah… that’s it… he’s getting through… uh huh
trisha
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice - Albert Einstein
You’re freakin’ annoying, Adam. You annoy me and many others. Sure, you believe strongly in all this crap, but you’re just annoying.
I’ve gotta say that even though I flame him often, I do have respect for Adam. He has repeatedly stated that he has people’s best interests at heart and that he wants to help everyone be “saved.”
But it’s also true that he will never convert me to his religion. Yes, he is wasting his time arguing religion with me. But I do find it interesting and sometimes enlightening to learn about what others believe, so I hope I haven’t driven him away from the board with my sarcastic remarks. I do respect him–it’s just his anti-LDS remarks I disagree with.
Snarkberry: I must disagree with you on this individual.
He’s not only annoying, he’s also a narrow-minded, bigot who’s quite proud not only of his ignorance but of how he became that ignorant.
I couldn’t care less what faith he follows, but what galls me is his out of hand dismissal and attack on ALL other relgioins. Said religions, you might note, of which he has exactly zero factual knowledge.
He has stated so many times that he will not gain knowledge of those faiths.
You may recall that he accuses me of not having studied the Bible solely because I disagree with nearly every thing he says. Another poster (I think it was Lucky) aptly pointed out to Adam that I have, in fact, study the Bible and that Adam obviously can not have studied it as he hasn’t read the thing.
So what we’re dealing with here is:
-Ignorance
-Pride in Ignorance
-Intolerance of other’s thoughts
-Martyr Syndrome.
I think that pretty much points to a young adult or teenager who is obviously home-schooled by incomptent fundamentlaist fanatic parents.
Home-schooling can be a great thing. In this case, it’s a disaster
Monty wrote about Adam:
Well, I agree that Adam definitely has some serious problems in tolerating others, and he does seem to be a bit narrow-minded when it comes to religion. But if I can change from the idiot I was (and still sometimes am) into the marvelous example of mature manhood that I am today, there’s hope for Adam, too. I think exposure to other religions and philosophies over the internet will do him a world of good if he takes advantage of said exposure.
On the other hand, if he only reads Pentacostal Christian web sites and refuses to listen to others’ viewpoints, he’ll probably remain the person he is today, only older. It’s his call, and I hope we can persuade him to open his mind up a little. It’s worth a try. 
A bit narrow minded? 'Scuse me, but he’s just plain ignorant of other religions and he doesnt even know his own religion all that well either (He thinks Catholics aren’t christian LMAO). I generally dont bother with him because the only one who can change is him. Fundamentalists rarely ever change. CHange scares them, thats why they say anything that doesn’t mesh with their views is heretical or sinful.
“Raw to the floor like reservoir dogs”
- A.V. Helden
I’m going to try to post without using Scripture. I’ll probably be forced to use it at some point, but I can try. anyway, here we go.
I don’t think any of you know what being Christian means. Or if you know, you don’t truly understand. You say I’m intolerant of other religions. Well, that’s my job. There is nothing higher than God. There is no law above His. There is no other God besides the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, the living God. Any other belief that says otherwise is of Satan, who is the ruler of this earth.
Catholics. Catholics believe in many things that are not in the Bible. They have added so much ritual, and so much emptiness to the faith that it’s not even funny. They also go against the very teachings of Jesus. They believe that salvation is based on works. This is directly opposite to what Jesus says. They pray to Mary, and pray to the saints. In doing so, they exalt those humans to the level of Jesus, and the Father. This is also DIRECTLY opposite to what the Bible says. Christians obey, and adhere to ALL of the words of Jesus, and the Father. (Or at least that’s their goal in life)
I do not doubt that Catholics, and Mormons, and Jews…etc…love God. Loving God is great. And you may even love Jesus, and that’s wonderful. You may even believe what I do, and that’s awesome. But you know what? That’s not going to get you into heaven. You must walk the walk, and not only talk the talk. Believing in Jesus is the key to heaven, but unless it’s on your death bed, then you have to live the life of a Christian. Calling on His name will save you, but then you have to live a holy life. Like it says in Revelation, you must OVERCOME.
I said very early on that there are saved Jews, and Catholics…etc. I’m not backing down from that statement. If you love the Catholic church, and you like the smell of inscence (sp?), and you like to sing those hymns, then that’s cool. You can go to mass, but you must not adopt the ideas of that church. You must follow Jesus, and not some Pope. You must confess you sins to JESUS, and NOT some preist in confession. Who gave that priest the power to forgive you? Nobody. He has no power to forgive you. Only your Father in heaven can forgive your sins. Skip confession. Get on your face before the real Father, and tell Him your story.
I am a follower of Jesus. I’ve read my Bible, and know what it says. Christians are supposed to love, and supposed to be kind. But like the Father, they are supposed to hate sin, and be opposed to all who oppose God. Jesus said, “If you’re not for me, then you’re against me.”
My goodness, I shudder to think of what the world would be like if nobody opposed sin. Satan already rules this planet with an iron grip. I dare say that it’s only because of Christians that this world keeps turning 'round. I believe that like Ninevah, God is saving this planet because there are a few left who love Him. Perhaps that’s a bit extreme, but it could be true.
Before any of you talk about me, why don’t you learn what being a Christian really is. Perhaps if SoxFan were reading this, he could give his input on this post. He may not like my style, which would be understandable. But I bet that he’d agree with what I say.
I think I’m done ranting. I’ve already lost any chance that one of you might get saved. I may as well be free to speak my mind. I don’t know why I’m surprised that you all oppose me. It’s what I should expect. And perhaps I should be happy about it, like Paul would be. Who knows.
Adam
Adam wrote:
And then:
(Bolding mine). So, in other words, you aren’t saved by works, but you must live the life of a Christian (which implies doing good works) to get saved. Am I missing something here?
Adam, I don’t believe most Catholic doctrine either, but that doesn’t mean I attack them constantly and condemn them all to hell. The word is toleration. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, too, which you might consider before you give another “hellfire” sermon.
Adam -
Next time you want to talk about Catholics, read the Catecism first. Please tell me what I believe that’s not in the Bible. (And even though I’ve been nasty before, I am genuinely interested. I’d love to know what part of my faith you think doesn’t come from the Bible.) We believe salvation is based on faith AND works. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
Second, only a small group of Catholics “worship” Mary. Most Catholics believe Mary and the saints intercede on our behalf to God. By praying to them, we are asking them to take our prayers to God, and to Jesus. We are not placng them on the same level. (Well, most Catholics, anyway.)
Third, not all Catholics confess to a priest. I am a Catholic, and I have never been to confession. You are confessing your sins to Jesus and to God through the priest.
All in all, Adam, I’m giving you the usual refrain you’ve heard from Snark and Monty. Read up on the religion before you slam it, dear.
Adam,
I was wondering if God is going to send you to hell if there is even one person on this board that will now never be saved because of the way you present religion?
Why do you feel that your arrogance and self-righteousness will not stink in the Lord’s nostrils?
Why do you not feel that God wants you to be humble and to “shine” his light through you.
You ask why we don’t learn about what being a Christian is before we talk to you about it? You want us to learn the Bible before we discuss it with you.
I have learned about being a Christian. A Pentecostal Christian in fact. I can go head to head with you on the Bible if you like. Seems like a ridiculous, immature confrontation to me, but then…we are talking about Adam, aren’t we?
You have ignored every question I’ve asked you. I have watched you steer completely clear of anyone that seems to have knowledge of the Bible.
You don’t want to discuss the Bible. You aren’t interested in anyone here being a Christian. You are only interested in being right. In having the last word in.
I know your Bible, I know your religion. I know the teachings. Far be it from me to judge, but I’d say you have some repenting to do to get right with YOUR God.
People find their own way to their own salvation, if they believe they need it. They do not EVER follow someone such as you.
trisha
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice - Albert Einstein
Adam: I am now calling you a liar. You’ve posted on this board before that you have not read the whole Bible and now you’re stating above in your last posting that you’ve read your Bible. Which is it?
Or does it matter to you that bearing false witness is a sin?
Good grief, normally I just read through these threads but years of repressed Jesuit education just came exploding out of me after reading Adam’s Sermon From the Mount.
Adam, I’m not even going to debate with you over whether Catholics are Christian. You have already demonstrated, through your many “theological” efforts, your complete and almost total ignorance of most facets of Christianity. I am in more respect of the viewpoints of an * Imam * in Mecca or a Shinto priest digressing on the nature of * kami * than I am with your uncertain grasp of the concepts of Christianity, much less your ignorance of the basic precepts of Roman Catholicism.
As to your Biblical knowledge, I suggest you pick one up (at your stage it doesn’t even matter what version or edition) and begin to know your faith. Try to understand the interplay and blending of Hebrew, Aramaic, and classical Greek translated to Latin, then to English. It’s more than just grandiose pronouncements of judgement day and eternal damnation. Scholars of all denominations spend countless years reading these books and THEY do not even come out with half the things that you profess. There is an interesting digression on “free will” in John Stienbeck’s, * East of Eden * involving Chinese Confucian scholars dicussing the Fourth Chapter of Genesis, IMHO one of the most profound statements about God and his relation to man. If, by chance, you can even find some added enlightenment, pick up the * Torah * and read some of it, go to a * Hannukah * celebration, listen to the story of the Menorah and understand the meaning of the Festival of Lights. Then you may think twice before you have the * audacity * to attempt to witness to the Children of the Old Covenant. Watch a Muslim in the beauty of their devotion to prayer. Read a few * Suras * from the Qur’an. Purify a Shinto shrine, read * A Book Of Five Rings * by the sword-saint Musashi. You might find some clues in this work by a medieval Japanese samurai that echo the scholastic methods espoused by St. Thomas Aquinas in his * Summa Theologica *. Knowledge is not an evil thing. “There is no darkness but ignorance.” (Shakespeare’s * Twelfth Night *. (Thanks, Zette, for the quote) Get the picture Adam? You’re not the only one in this world trying to make sense out of it all. Maybe you might then see that to be * Christian * is to be * understanding * of what makes us human. In your Father’s house, there are many rooms.
Note: The opinions on this soapbox are not necessarily the opinions of the management, this broadcasting station, my beer buddies, or my dog. Offer void where prohibited by law. Some contents may have settled while handling. Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear to be, write your mother, brush your teeth…
“…send lawyers, guns, and money…”
Warren ZevonI don’t really want to harm anyone, or have them harmed on my wishes. But if it were guaranteed not to cause any lasting damage, I might pay money to see Adam smacked in the face with a lead pipe.
Because I do not follow the rules of behavior for his religion, in his eyes I am an evil person who should be eternally damned to Hell. This sort of statement will put a damper on any relationship, so I really don’t feel any bond of trust or friendship forming here.
Since this is the Pit, I’ll give my honest opinion. Adam is a small-minded fool, not for his intolerance but for his intentional ignorance. If he would learn about another religion before condemning it, he could at least make some pretense at a logical argument. But he refuses to learn anything, claiming that he knows the One True Way, and that any contradictory knowledge is a temptation from the devil.
(In response to this, Adam will deny having claimed to know the Only Truth. But though he may not use those exact words, that is exactly what all his posts have meant.)
If it were up to me, I’d tell him to pack up his God and his Bible, and go bother people on some other part of the Web. But it’s not up to me, so I’ll continue ignoring his attempts to convert people, and mostly suppressing the urge to flame him for being a closed-minded intolerant jerk.
Adam, you have done this before and I have corrected you before and you persist in your error without any attempt to understand the truth. Therefore Monty is accurate. For some reason you believe that there are only nine commandments or that “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” does not apply to you.
Catholics do not believe that they are saved by works. The last time I pointed this out to you, you claimed that you couldn’t debate everything that you posted or some such drivel. If you cannot debate every point that you post, you at least have the moral responsibility to not continue to post lies when they have been pointed out to you.
The Catholic Church does not teach that we are saved by works. (It certainly has never taught that any one can get to heaven on their own merits or efforts.) What the RCC does teach is that, while Paul’s statements regarding justification by faith are true, the entire concept of salvation is more complex than simply reciting “I accept Jesus as my personal Savior” one day and then going off to lead as sinful a life as you want because you have been “saved.”
You may choose to take one aspect of Paul’s teachings out of context and call that the whole of Christianity, but the RCC also believes in following the words of Jesus, Himself: “. . . Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Throughout Matthew, Jesus exalts those of righteous action and condemns those who fail to act justly. The RCC teaching has never been that one can earn heaven through works, but that if you are not performing the deeds, your words are hollow and you have never actually accepted the salvation Jesus offers.
I would defy you to quote any doctrine of the RCC that claims anyone can earn their way into heaven with works, but I already know, through your posts, that you are too lazy and malevolent to even try. Most likely you will claim that you don’t have the wherewithal to research this point (another fine example of home schooling) or else you will quote some other Catholic basher without looking to see whether or not they are lying.
The rest of your libel is pretty much along the same lines. You spout off nonsense handed to you by others, demonstrating your ignorance and their (and your) malice.
Just what is your church? The “Whole Bible Except-That-Commandment-We-Don’t-Like Brotherhood”?
Tom~
adam…since you asked for opinions, I’m gonna give one.
I agree with 98% of your theology. I’m an evangelical christian, bible college graduate (theology major), former full-time youth minister, the whole 9 yards.
And quite honestly, you embarrass the heck out of me.
If you are willing to take some advice from someone who was once much like you and is now a older and rounder, there’s two things you’re doing wrong.
First, you’re in the wrong place. Not the straightdope in particular, but the net in general. This is not the best medium for witnessing. Conveying emotion is difficult, there’s the time delay, and not many people are going to make themselves vulnerable on a public forum. It would take weeks and weeks on the net to build the kind of rapport that a good listener can build in in half an hour.
You would do far, far better to spend your time in personal contact with real people. Get involved in prison ministry, nursing homes, the homeless and poor, aids patients, anything. Heck, just go to your pastor and ask how he could use you for the 5-10 hours a week you spend on this board. Not only would your time be more efficiently spent, but you yourself would grow more. I learned more about the spirit of Christ washing toilets in an Aids hospice than I have from any of the arguments I’ve had with unbelievers.
Secondly, there’s too much of YOU. If people get upset because of the gospel message, or get upset because Jesus claimed to be the only way to heaven, those things are fine. Jesus said his message would be offensive, and it is. But a lot of the people flaming around here aren’t talking/arguing about waht Jesus said, they’re mad about what YOU say. YOU, and not Christ, are the focus. If you’re very honest with yourself you’ll find that there’s more than a little bit of pride at work here. Frankly, you are standing in the way of Christ.
Yes, it is your job to be a witness. But it is not your job to be a witness in such a way that you annoy people, and thus turn them off to the gospel permanently. Look in the Bible and you’ll find a a directive about what to do when nobody wants to listen to your message; you wipe the dust off your sandals, and keep on walking.
Furt: I’d venture to say there’s not a soul here who’s upset at the Gospel message; especially since ol’ Adam has yet to preach it.
What a few of us have stated, and I in particular do feel, is that ol’ Adam lies, bashes, and trashes. How the heck does that fit in with the Gospel? Perhaps that’s the 2% you don’t agree with.
Monty: There have been several posts that were anti-christian or anti-religion. Not as many as were anti-ARG220, obviously. My point is that Adam’s personality and conduct are getting in the way of the message he is trying to convey. I agree with many of his beliefs; but not the place or way in which he is expressing them.
At the risk of losing my credibility with Adam, I feel it necessary to say that Catholicism is one area in which we disagree strongly.
Adam:
Cite?
Adam, I asked my wife to take a look at the above quoted passage. She, you see, is a Catholic, and a Catholic that hasn’t been involved in any of your nonsense.
She laughed. She also seemed very concerned that there were people out there who felt what you do, as strongly as you seem to. Keep in mind that she hasn’t seen any of your tripe to date, and therefore has no preconceived idea as to what you are. Not only are you off in what you say, you also spit it out just like hundreds of bigots before you. If nothing else, get a new schtick.
No, what you did was say that a christian came to your church. You called him a messianic Jew, but he was a christian. More to the point, he was your kind of christian.
And if the above is true, then I want nothing to do with you and your ilk. Because if you are representative of other followers of Jesus, then they are a close minded, mean spirited lot.
You have done no such thing. Nor do you know any such thing.
Then what happened to you?
Oh.
Y’know, I keep feeding you that old, “Pride goeth before a fall” line. And you keep ignoring it.
As has been explained to you several times, some of the folk here know full well what it means to be a Christian. Being someone like you, though… Bah! Who wants that?
Anyone else out there want in on the pool that says this is more nonsense?
“Poor, poor me. I try to make a difference, but it never seems to take.”
A word of advice, Adam: When you try to set yourself up as a martyr, like you did above, then even those who might be interested in what you are saying are going to be turned off. Because there’s nothing that makes people less comfortable than to watch someone try to hammer himself to a cross.
Waste
Flick Lives!