Can one tell another he doesn't know God?

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Honestly, the issue of A) and B) depends on the kind of reasoning used by the stranger. If the stranger just makes a statement "Your friend does not exist", then yeah, that's not plausible. If the stranger presents an argument though of "yeah, lots of people have experienced the same thing with best friends who have similar traits and we both recognize that their best friends did not exist, therefore it is more plausible that, like them, your best friend does not exist too", then that may actually be persuasive.

Note: Not all delusions are a sign of insanity.

In any case, I am not sure anybody is currently doing anything wrong, Ragtime. God does not exist. If you claim to experience something you call God, you are likely mistaken, just as people were mistaken about Zeus, Allah, Quetzalcoatl, Zoroaster, etc. You have to admit that this is possible. You have to admit that your experience with the being you call God is in a similar class of experiences as these other experiences. You have to admit that these other experienced beliefs were wrong, and that any stranger who told these people "Your God does not exist" were in the right for doing so. Even further, if we get into the matter, there are reasons why your experienced being likely does not exist, at least in the manner you think it exists.

I mean, Ragtime, let's be serious here: If someone was praising Lord Krisna, or claiming that Anubis was talking to them, or anything else, would you just shrug without concern? Many Christians believe that these other claims are false, and that people who believe this should reject these claims for the Christian claims. How is the atheist wrong in their actions if the Christian missionary is right for doing something very similar?

It depends on the non-believer. Online arguers are often passionate about arguing, but they do necessarily have a passion for the topic at hand. Also, nobody actually showed a lot of passion in the response.


It depends on the context. I think a lot of people also believe your defenses are puerile, which makes this more complicated. Obviously, nobody will take a defense seen as puerile seriously.

Don't like the menu? Then stop coming to the Politics, Philosophy, and Religion forum...

No, I get the same treatment no matter how I say it. It's what I believe which so provokes.
The Bible predicted this. The Gospel is described in the Greek as "Skandalon", or "rock of offense" (rock that one trips over).
It is said straightforwardly in the New Testament that the Gospel is, itself, offensive to mankind, because mankind is sinful.
Notice that not even Jesus could preach the truth in a way that didn't offend (see Pharisees' reactions in Matt, Mark, Luke, John) -- so what chance have I?

You've sinned, and you need God to save you.

What did I say in those few words? The Gospel. Its central idea is impossible to convey without offense resulting.
Here's a challenge no one will take up: Convey the Gospel message of the New Testament in a non-offensive way.
He who can do that is smarter than God, so, ya know, I'm not exactly holding my breath.

Last edited by Ragtime on 14 Nov 2011, 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ragtime, they don't like our Friend.

QFT

I can't dislike someone who I've never seen, heard or spoken to

So what you're saying is that you can dish it but you can't take it?

I think he's saying it's a forum where people should be allowed to discuss religion. It's implied in the title, bolded there.

One person's enthusiasm is another person's shoving...

You'll see Him one day.

Of course. You say it to those Catholic heretics all the time. You answered this question yourself numerous times, I think you just forgot.

I think this question is now answered to the OP's satisfaction. I believe any more conversation on this is moot outside of the normal PPR derailment, so I will stop posting, and others should as well

I think Ragtime started this thread specifically to bash atheists, since he's ignored most comments that come from a religious perspective.

It's as though he doesn't think that religion as an academic exercise is at all valid.

+1

Does anyone have a greater desire to meet Ragtime's Jesus after this conversation?
Jesus and 1st century Xtianity is one of my special interests but I will never become a
Xtian because I do not like the company.

If your God is the same one that I used to believe in - the Creator of cancer and mosquitoes; if he's the same guy as the one in the Bible, then I hate him. My opinion is that it would take an evil being just to create this world. That's my opinion.

You're as free to like Him as I am to hate/not believe in Him. I don't mind.

I just don't buy the concept that there is an all-knowing all-powerful being that for some reason needs me to worship it.