Once More, With Feeling ...

[FriendofGod]

I’ve been emailing back and forth with David B to find out what happened to my mysteriously disappearing final thread, but at any rate, since it wasn’t something the moderators caused I’m sure they won’t mind my re-posting my last post from last night, in case anyone missed it.

In case someone’s reading this and is going “HUH”?? , I created a post announcing that I felt like my time at the SDMB was over. I got a zillion responses (2 pages worth), and last night I attempted to respond to several of the responses I got. Thankfully, I saved the file to my hard drive so I still have my post from last night intact.

And yes, the fact that I saved it to my hard drive is a sign. It is total and complete proof for all of you that God exists. NOT! (Couldn’t resist)

Here it is in it’s entirety:

Wow!
Well … I guess I don’t have to worry anymore about this post not being labeled a “Great Debate!”

I never expected this many responses to this little ole’ post! To those who gave me well wishes, back atcha! I wish you well as well and hope you all find great fulfillment and joy in your life. To those who had, ah, other wishes, I wish you joy and fulfillment as well.

Just for old time’s sake, I’m going to try to respond to several of your specific posts (not every one, I just don’t have time unfortunately). But first, some general comments.

First, I must say that Polycarp and Joe_Cool have greatly encouraged me. Thank you both for seeing my heart in the situation and speaking words of encouragement. They were very refreshing.

I might have made mistakes in my methods at times, and probably did, but my heart has always been one thing: to share the love of God with the people of this board and encourage everyone to consider the possibility of God’s existence and love. If anything other than that has come across, it’s very possible that I was making some mistakes in communication.

I’m aware that sometimes the true, unadulterated message of Christianity will offend people no matter how politely or nicely it’s put. I would never compromise the truth of the gospel just to make people happy. However, if people felt like “conversion fodder” or like I was personally arrogant or some such thing, and if those feeling were sincere, then perhaps I made some mistakes in my method. If that is the case, then to those I offended I apologize.

Now, as to why I am leaving, just to clarify:

1. I am leaving partly just because posting on this board takes an enormous amount of time due to the number of responses I get, and truthfully I was getting a little burnt out.
2. I am in the midst of studying for MCSE exams and it will take more and more of my time to do so, leaving me less time for posts.
3. I felt like the only person getting any benefit from my posts was me. I was learning about atheists and how to polish my message, but I felt like not much of what I was saying was getting through. Again, maybe it’s because I still have much to learn about how to communicate to this kind of crowd, but at any rate, with some exceptions, I don’t think any of you became even one iota more open to God based on anything I said. So I was kind of spinning my wheels.

Like I said, I’m not disappearing forever. I may pop in from time to time. And there will probably be a point somewhere in the future where I’ll come back and post long messages and do marathon posts again . We’ll see.

On to specifics:

Satan said:

I mean, I prefer people look at me as a person, not as simply conversion fodder. And you never saw people here, did you FriendofGod. No.

I am honestly surprised you said this. I never thought you felt this way from me at all. We’ve had some interesting discussions on this board. I’m truly sorry if you think I saw you as merely “conversion fodder”, whatever that is. No, Satan, I see you and the others here as individuals. I have something fantastic in my life I wish you had. I don’t see anything wrong with trying to get you to consider looking into it. Sorry you didn’t feel that way.

spooje said:

Truth be told, I envy you that. I sought that for many years, both as a child and as an adult. Just some sense that God was there and thought about me from time to time. I didn’t find it . . . Preachers (several) asked me to invite Jesus into my heart. And I did just that. And I still felt nothing . . . Hey, I’m not going to try to talk you out of your thing. Like I said, I envy it. But I gave up on it. Maybe, just maybe, it’s not an open offer to everyone.

Oh spooje, I am so sorry you went through that. How awful to feel like you are being ignored by God. I can’t “explain” what happened to you, but I will say this: it is an open offer to everyone, including you. God loves you, even if, for whatever reason, you could not feel His love. If you want to discuss this further by email, indicate so in a post on this topic and I will email you.

VarlosZ said:

Godspeed, Friend, godspeed.

Thanks :). Ditto.

matt said:

I’ve enjoyed your posts FoG, it’s been refreshing to be able to discuss this stuff with someone whose beliefs are so radically different from my own.

Thanks, me too! I mean it. It’s been interesting. Thanks for the kind words.

bjOrn said:

its your belive that it is god, not mine.

I did read your whole post, but no time to dive into a deep debate over it. Your quote above summarizes the situation. All I can say it, I’ve learned to distinguish God’s voice from my own and they are very different.

AerynSun and GLWasteful – what a great tribute to your mate / daugther! I hope you showed them the posts that you made, it might win you brownie points . But I will say this … the most wonderful mate and / or child in the world will let you down in some way at some time. God never will. Seriously, isn’t the possibility that this is available to you at all intriguing?

QuickSilver, thanks :).

GLWasteful, see my comment to Satan. If you thought I saw you as ‘conversion fodder’, I erred somewhere along the way. Sorry you took it that way.

Dinsdale, actually you made a good point. Maybe when I return I’ll visit some of the other threads on other areas besides GD. Anyone here a fan of early-70s tv shows? I love talking about that stuff! Or analyzing every minute detail of the Back to the Future movies…

Tymp said:

Here you present your final argument intended to convert all us heathens.

For old time’s sake I’ll clarify this for the zillionth time: I’m not trying to convert you, just giving you something to think about and consider.

DavidB said:

When he goes back, I’m sure the LBMB will send over a new missionary.

LOL! You are too much DB. Enjoyed our debates even though they got a little heated at times. Remember the C&L days…

Polycarp said:

If you do depart, Friend, go in peace, with our mutual Lord. I’ll be here “watering” like Apollos – and I think you can figure out the rest of that quote!

Thanks for your encouragement and challenges while I’ve been here! Yes I got the rest . God’s blessings on ya.

Pthalis said:

I have no ill will for you despite being very frustrated at times by you. I’m glad you feel that you profited by your time here.

Thank you! Sorry I made you frustrated, I seem to have that effect ;). Enjoyed our debates.

Freyer said:

To respect the right of an individual to make choices about their life that you don’t agree with, even virulently disagree with and yet let them live their life without meddling in it.

If I truly didn’t love anybody, I would never “meddle” as you put it. I respect the right of people to make totally different choices than I would, sure. But if you saw someone drinking themselves to death, for example, wouldn’t it be less than loving to not at least attempt to try to nudge them out of it? If they don’t respond, sure, you leave them alone. But I think it’s only right to make an attempt.

SoulFrost said:

Actually, the LBMB is all but defunct now.

I found this minor hijack amusing! I still visit the LBMB daily and contribute regularly. It’s hardly “defunct”. New admins and all, but not defunct. By the way, there’s a new message board on the LB Movie site that’s run much better, and many are migrating there as well. I can’t believe I just typed all that! I have this feeling not too many of you care.

stuffinb said:

My point? No matter how good a message is, or how sweet the sound, if you can’t accept people as they are, you’re turning them away. So my advice, learn to listen, try not to be so adversarial, and most of all learn to accept people as they are. Isn’t that the message Jesus was trying to teach? Peace and well wishes.

Point well taken. Loved the story. Thanks :).

jmullaney said:

Good Luck FoG. I hope you are able to grow in your love and understanding of Christ and his teachings. Bon voyage.

Thanks . YOu too.

Joe_Cool, I already mentioned my thanks but I just got to your post again. Thank you for seeing my heart, and I know what you mean about Mt 7:6. I’ve tried to keep that verse in mind as I posted here, but probably not as much as I should have. I heard one person put it this way: “Dont waste time with people who don’t want to change.” I guess I was looking for the one or two who might be open to change. Hard to tell sometimes. But thanks anyway.

lambda said:

Peace, FoG.

Peace back atcha :).

Well I’ve reached the end. Hey this wouldn’t be a thread started by me without a mass response post like this one, eh? Seriously, thanks to all who responded. I’m truly amazed this post got so big.

I’ll look for any more responses here but probably not post much more (especially since my ISP is about to change my account surprisingly and it might mess me up anyway with bboards like this for a while). Enjoyed meeting you all. So long, SDMB!

[Polycarp]

Only you, Friend, could do an OP that is a marathon response to a million posters!!

You know, I’m going to miss you…

Take care, and come back when you can. (Try to figure out how to be an effective witness to this group, first, though ;))

[FriendofGod]

Polycarp, Amen, thanks for the tip and I’ll miss you too :).

[Freyr]

FoG wrote:

If I truly didn’t love anybody, I would never “meddle” as you put it. I respect the right of people to make totally different choices than I would, sure. But if you saw someone drinking themselves to death, for example, wouldn’t it be less than loving to not at least attempt to try to nudge them out of it? If they don’t respond, sure, you leave them alone. But I think it’s only right to make an attempt.

FoG, how can you say you love me? You don’t know me, you don’t know anything about me, and in all honestly, I already have a boyfriend and you’re not my type!

On a slightly more serious note, given the situation you proposed, I would have to say that it depends on how well I knew the person who was drinking themselves to death. If it was a close friend or my lover, yes, I would intervene. If it was someone on a street corner I never knew or would most probably never see again, I would not.

A hard fact of my system of morality assumes that everyone knows what’s best for their own life. I have to assume they know what’s best for them. The reason, too much evil has been done in this world under the guise of “I know what’s best for you and your life.”

Your last two sentences are prehaps the most telling. I officially turned Pagan on Samhain (Hallowe’en for you mundane folks) in 1985. Ever since that time, I’ve had a steady stream of Xians accost me, trying to tell me about Jesus and their faith!

I’m getting damn tired of having to fend them off. Why the hell don’t you people get organized and figure out WHO you need to preach to and who you haven’t!!

You evangelizers are worse than telemarketers!! THAT is the main reason I appear hostile toward Xians, especially those who try to preach to me. I have heard the same spiel over and over and OVER and there is no way (apparently) to shut you up.

[threemae]

These huge-ass posts…

“Okay, I am leaving NOW.”

“No wait, now.”

It is all starting to get annoying. He justs keeps resurecting like… where do we know this from?

[MysterEcks]

Ah, FoG, you’re leaving like we pulled out of Vietnam–verrrrrry slowwwwwwly.

[sailor]

I had a girlfriend like this. All the time she’d say “I’m leaving you” but she never went anywhere. It got to be a joke.

[David_B]

FoG said:

I might have made mistakes in my methods at times, and probably did, but my heart has always been one thing: to share the love of God with the people of this board and encourage everyone to consider the possibility of God’s existence and love.

But, see, that’s just it – you are assuming that none of us have ever considered it. It’s like, “Duh! Wow. We never thought of that!”

You are approximately the 1,435th person to come over here with that message (or at least it seems that way). Even after all this time, we still haven’t gotten it through your head that we have considered the possibility – and we rejected it, or at least don’t think it’s too bloody likely.

Do you understand that yet? Or do you still think that the reason we aren’t all Christians like you is that we’re all ignorant?

[FriendofGod]

Even after all this time, we still haven’t gotten it through your head that we have considered the possibility – and we rejected it, or at least don’t think it’s too bloody likely.

I am always trying to discern who is truly closed to the idea of God and who might have a bit of openness. The ones who are open are the ones I want to talk to, primarily. If someone is truly closed to the idea, I don’t want to waste my time or theirs. Maybe the next time I return I’ll add a caveat to each thread I start: “for those who are still seeking”. In an attempt to not judge or assume that someone had totally closed their minds to the gospel, I pretty much talked to everyone about it. Next time I’ll be more discerning.

And yes, to the rest of you, I am leaving, really I am ;). You may see a brief response trickle in from me on this thread here and there, but basically I’m moving on.

Peace, DB.

[Gomez]

Well whatever you may say about FoG you’ve gotta admit he’s definately one of the nicest posters around. Even with all of the cutting verbal asides which have been thrown his way he never lost his temper or got pissed off once, I know I wouldn’t have been able to say the same if I’d been in his shoes.

So long FoG.

Gomez.

[aha]

What ever happened to the idea of just going to church and worshiping God, if that is your conviction? And hey, if others don’t have that conviction, then let them stay home on Sunday morning and weed their garden. Ok? That isn’t hard understand is it? It’s simple as one two three.
May the road rise up to meet you.

[David_B]

Jeez, aha, you just don’t understand.

You can’t just let your neighbor go to Hell like that! You have to try to SAVE him!

Next thing we know, you’ll be telling us that we shouldn’t pray before football games or sumthin’.

[aha]

David B

You can’t just let your neighbor go to Hell like that! You have to try to SAVE him!

Anyone with a wife as goodlooking as my neighbor’s deserves to go to hell.

[Czarcasm]

Dear FoG,

Thank you for reprinting most of the responses to your missing thread.

                    Yours truly,

                    Chopped Liver :)

[FriendofGod]

Your original post said, among other things:

Nice meeting you. Now you can go back to message boards where every other sentence is a Bible quote, and show off your Martyr merit badge. You came over and started a thread that pretended to ask a question, just so you could gather up a bunch of non-believers in one spot for the purpose of “witnessing” to them . . . BTW, even though I am an atheist, I have no problem at all with most of the Christians on this board. I just have a problem with self-serving hypocrites.

Ah, to be honest slythe, I didn’t really respond cuz it didn’t exactly look like a pleasant “bye and good luck” type of post! But seeing your smilie, I’ll take that as a pleasant goodbye and well wishes and send’em back atcha :).

[FriendofGod]

Gomez, thank you very much for the nice comments.

[Lemur866]

OK, the acronym LBMB has been popping up with annoying regularity during these religion threads. Anyone wanna clue me in on what it means? Hmmm…something something message board. But what ELSE?

[Polycarp]

Large-Bottomed **Malayan Bicyclists.

Oh, with reference to a place online?

The “Left Behind Message Board” – which uses the UBB format SD used before switching to vBB. It’s sponsored by Christian publisher Tyndale House, IIRC, and is based on a fan base for the “Left Behind” series, novels about a bunch of people who convert to Evangelical Christianity following the Rapture (and are therefore among the “left behind”). We have three or four alumni from over there. I don’t want to go into what’s wrong with that board.

[David_B]

Poly, I don’t think we have the hard drive space to go into all of what’s wrong with that board!

[Liberal]

[… hands on hips … tapping foot …]

Can you support that assertion, please?

[… ducking … running …]