A Public Apology

[_Gadianton]

I think you are losing sight of the discussion, mbetter. You implied that I had given up being Mormon because it's too hard. I said that being Mormon is easy. Nehor, advancing a "No True Scotsman" to your cause redefined being Mormon to fit a very narrow criteria most Mormons don't fit. I then pointed out it's unlikely Nehor was being challenged in these ways. Nehor admitted he wasn't, implying that if he's still Mormon, then being Mormon is once again easy, as you are now admitting yourself.

Yes, it's easy to come online and make fun of religion, I admit it. But it's of no consequence to any arguments I've advanced, so, so what?

[_EAllusion]

I don't have anything personally against the guy. But were you posting on ZLMB many years ago when he admitted that the boards were only for his amusement, and not serious discussion?

I always took that as a rationalization for his tendency to run from substantial criticism of his thoughts and behavior from intelligent posters while picking on the less informed and thoughtful ones.

[_BishopRic]

... in addition to factoring in the amount of disposable time you appear to have for message boards, leads me to believe you're suffering the trials of Job or have ever been called to pull a handcart across the plains.

I see you here just as much as I see Nehor. The difference is, he is defending his beliefs. You on the other hand...what are you here for? Oh, that's right, just hanging out on heaven knows how many religious message boards tearing down the faith of others. That's noble of you.

This is a statement I hear frequently...it makes me laugh!

First, why is what we as critics say here any more "tearing down the faith of others" as what you defenders do? Think about it -- we have our faith as well (even atheists), and, for example, each time the missionaries knock on our door and tell us they have a better way to live, are they not tearing down our faith? It is implied by the clear goal to convert others that the "others,'" way is inadequate, isn't it?

I'm not even saying that ours is the truth, but it is still "our faith," and at the very least, we are willfully engaged in tearing down the faith of everybody that doesn't agree with our own!

[_guy sajer]

I know for a fact that there is a God. This will be proven to you one way or another.

And we're the arrogant one?

I'm at least honest enough to say that I don't know for a fact that there is no God. I find the evidence against God, however, pretty damn presuasive.

If you don't believe in God and spend your remaining days of your puny mortality on this puny earth rebelling against Him, then you are a fool. Don't be so narcissistic as to think you have everything figured out when it comes to the existence of God.

Let's see, the person who just claimed to "know for a fact" that there is a God is lambasting atheists who think they "have everything figures out when it comes to the existence of God." Wow! I'm going out a limb here and saying that consistency isn't one of mledbetter's strong suits.

Before you condescend to your fellow mortals and amuse yourself by pointing out their supposed gullibility and ignorance, remember this. You are nothing. You are a speck of nothing on a speck of a planet circling a speck of a star circling in a speck of a galaxy drifting in a universe of countless galaxies and uncountable light years of space and nothingness/somethingness.

Agreed. I think many, if not most, atheists would probably readily concede this point.

But then, so are you, and yet that hasn't kept you from making bold affirmatory declarations--the same kind that you denounce atheists for presumably making.

Oh, and as far as the visiting you in the lower kingdom thing. We'll probably be in the same one, so I hope to get to know you better and become good friends.

I could probably use a few friends down under as well.

I already responded to all of your points which others raised before you.

If you say so--not sure that I see it, though.