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Outreach Ideas For Christians


directionless

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Wouldn't it be nice if more Christians participated in debates?

 

Maybe we can brainstorm in this thread and find a way to accomplish that goal?

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I think being polite and cordial is a good rule, especially in the beginning when a new christian first shows up here.  Not only is it much less intimidating for the newcomer, but it also demonstrates to the lurkers that we're not the "angry atheists" christians believe we are.  We've run too many christians away by being rude, condescending, and disrespectful.

 

With that said, once a christian has demonstrated dishonesty, disingenuousness, and hypocrisy (like Ironhorse, for example), then we can start getting rough and tumbly with that christian.

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Here are some ideas from me. Maybe they are impractical, but hopefully others will have better ideas.

 

(1) Make a "single combat" sub-forum where one ex-Christian debates one Christian. This way the Christian doesn't feel out-numbered and overwhelmed with questions? Maybe the spectators could editorialize and discuss among themselves, so everybody can participate but the Christian only answers to one ex-Christian?

 

(2) Maybe somebody could invite Christians from another forum such as CARM?

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Here are some ideas from me. Maybe they are impractical, but hopefully others will have better ideas.

 

(1) Make a "single combat" sub-forum where one ex-Christian debates one Christian. This way the Christian doesn't feel out-numbered and overwhelmed with questions? Maybe the spectators could editorialize and discuss among themselves, so everybody can participate but the Christian only answers to one ex-Christian?

 

(2) Maybe somebody could invite Christians from another forum such as CARM?

(1)  We already have such a sub-forum.  It's called The Arena.  The Colosseum is also for more formal debate, but is open to more than just two combatants.  In the past year since I've been on this site, The Arena hasn't been used; and The Colosseum has only been used a handful of times. 

 

(2)  One problem that could arise from "recruiting" from other websites is that board wars might get started.  We don't want that.  We can peacefully coexist with the christians who wander into our forums; but to have a mass influx of them all at once would play hell for the Mods, as not all of them would be willing to play nice.

 

With all of that said, I do lament the fact that we get so few christians here and they are often of inferior quality when it comes to debate.  I wish the holy spirit would send us some really good ones for a change.

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http://www.ex-christian.net/forum/18-the-arena/#.U_oYtvldVzM

 

The Arena exists for formal debates, Directionless.

 

Catch is, any Christian going one-on-one with a Lion there cannot be made to answer and cannot be made to face up to their reply being a non-answer.  The very best outcome will be that they are deemed to have lost the debate.  Even then, they still cannot be made to accept that they have.  Denial, in the form of "I disagree" will always be some people's position and there's nothing we can do to change that.

 

Thanks,

 

BAA

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Yeah, I get it: It's nice to be nice and all that, but I think I've heard enough already from christians and I don't see why we should give them more of a platform to preach here. Other websites serve that purpose. THIS website is for ex-christians looking for support ... not for undecided people who want to hear more before they make up their minds.

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Oh I can think of so many ways for Christians to improve their membership.

 

 

1)  Have a photo op with God the Father. 

 

2)  A meet and greet with the Holy Spirit in person.  

 

3)  Have Jesus preach a sermon.  Jesus is one of the best preachers ever.

 

4)  Lunch with Jesus.  One tuna melt feeds everybody.

 

5)  Have the Holy Spirit put on a magic show.

 

6)  Jesus shows up at the local hospital and cures everyone.

 

7)  Gabriel and Michael give angel rides.

 

8)  Put on a concert featuring the Heavenly Host.

 

 

 

 

 

Considering the assets Christians have available the possibilities are endless.

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Wouldn't it be nice if more Christians participated in debates?

 

Maybe we can brainstorm in this thread and find a way to accomplish that goal?

 

Directionless,

 

I've no intention of raining on your parade here, ok?  I happen to agree. It would be nice if more Christians participated in debates, provided that these were honest debates.  But now I need to explain and qualify the words I've used.

 

 

PARTICIPATE

Christians participating from get go and then sticking with the debate until it is resolved.  Not dropping out once their position on an issue is challenged or quitting if they feel their beliefs are under threat.  Nor using a perceived slight or a misunderstanding as an excuse to bail out, while pretending to be the wounded or insulted party.

 

DEBATE

Christians being fully aware of the formal rules governing the debate and then sticking to them throughout, right until the end.  Too often they aren't up to speed on these things, aren't aware of what constitutes admissible evidence and have to be taught what they can and can't do in a debate, after they've agreed to participate in one.  That debate then devolves into a teaching session (which is NOT a debate) or into a plain, old-fashioned argument (not a debate, either).

 

HONEST

The most important consideration of all!

There's no point a Christian agreeing to a formal debate if they have already resolved NOT to have their minds changed on the issue under debate.  This is beginning from a position of dogmatic denial.  Regardless of how politely it's worded, the point-blank refusal to accept, acknowledge and admit that their position has been refuted in the debate... is still a denial.  

 

"I'm sorry, but we will just have to agree to disagree" ...is a prime example of this stonewalling.

If the facts and evidence presented in a debate refute your position, then the honest thing to do is to change your mind.  Going in to a debate with the intention of NOT changing your mind is just dishonest.   Just as dishonest as doing it in an ordinary thread.

.

.

.

So yes, Directionless, it would be nice if the Christians would abide by these principles and enter into debates in good faith.

 

Thanks,

 

BAA

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I have been on a mixed forum once and...no, sorry, don't want those guys here. It was a forum for Jews, Christians and Atheists and it was nastier than hell. Really. As soon as you had an opinion that was not in line with an individuals interpretation of the bible and theology you where called an antichrist. I had been the nicest I could and got thrown dirt on me...mainly from Christians but also from Jews...and since I still took the Christian position from atheists too. Nope, I prefer this forum and I am comfortable with the den the way it is.

 

Now I have attended two forums for Christians who left traditional Church and that has been quite a different story. If such a person would show up here I guess there might be the kind of discussions happen like BAA is mentioning. But I doubt they will hang out at an exChristian forum because they have no need to defend their believes anymore because of various reasons. Also many of them end up atheist and might find this site and join the atheist crowd...like me :).

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Yeah, I get it: It's nice to be nice and all that, but I think I've heard enough already from christians and I don't see why we should give them more of a platform to preach here. ...

Yeah, and besides, there really isn't anything new that Christians have to say about defending Christianity, is there.

 

 

 

Bingo!

 

Christianity has not had anything new for centuries.

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Florduh or whoever designed this forum probably planned for Christians to come and debate, because there are three sub-forums for that purpose. Many ex-Christians members seem very eager to debate with Christian members - even when the Christian members often act like trolls.

 

The debate part doesn't interest me, but I enjoy getting different perspectives on questions.

 

However, many (not all smile.png ) Christians don't give honest answers about their experiences as Christians. I have found that on Christian forums too.

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I, personally, would love it if more Christians showed up here to debate.

 

Providing, that is, they were polite, capable of intelligent debate, and were willing to stick with the debate until the bitter end.

 

That eliminates 99% of the virtual population of the internet.

 

I'd also like to throw in this: many people seem to assume that this is an atheist forum. It isn't. It's an ex-Christian forum. It's for everyone who has left the Christian religion, whether they still believe in a deity or not.

 

This is important, in my opinion, to remember. And perhaps it would be good to attract more ex-Christians who are still theistic to the forums. Provide a nice change of perspective. It would also solve the problem of the denizens of these forums being viewed as angry atheists, since their would be a more visable theistic population.

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I, personally, would love it if more Christians showed up here to debate.

 

Providing, that is, they were polite, capable of intelligent debate, and were willing to stick with the debate until the bitter end.

 

That eliminates 99% of the virtual population of the internet.

 

I'd also like to throw in this: many people seem to assume that this is an atheist forum. It isn't. It's an ex-Christian forum. It's for everyone who has left the Christian religion, whether they still believe in a deity or not.

 

This is important, in my opinion, to remember. And perhaps it would be good to attract more ex-Christians who are still theistic to the forums. Provide a nice change of perspective. It would also solve the problem of the denizens of these forums being viewed as angry atheists, since their would be a more visable theistic population.

I don't mind being viewed as an angry atheist.

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Florduh or whoever designed this forum probably planned for Christians to come and debate, because there are three sub-forums for that purpose. Many ex-Christians members seem very eager to debate with Christian members - even when the Christian members often act like trolls.

 

The debate part doesn't interest me, but I enjoy getting different perspectives on questions.

 

However, many (not all smile.png ) Christians don't give honest answers about their experiences as Christians. I have found that on Christian forums too.

 

Actually, I have a fondness for the trollish christians and fundigelicals who come here. They're so easy to refute that they provide a good witness for lurkers to this site -- that is they serve as perfect examples to show what is wrong with christianity. Also, they'll usually good for a laugh.

 

But, I don't think we should go out and recruit them. Just let them wander in as the spirit moves them zDuivel7.gif  and let the hijinks ensue.

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Actually, I have a fondness for the trollish christians and fundigelicals who come here. They're so easy to refute that they provide a good witness for lurkers to this site -- that is they serve as perfect examples to show what is wrong with christianity. Also, they'll usually good for a laugh.

 

But, I don't think we should go out and recruit them. Just let them wander in as the spirit moves them zDuivel7.gif  and let the hijinks ensue.

o.k. fair enough. smile.png

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i debate anybody anyday anytime with respet and love and failed humor. Bring it.

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But nice idea direction, many christian do cast Atheists as angry people with uncontrollable bowels in the mouth, i used to be Atheist i know it isnt true lol, but the problem is when Atheist get disrespected by a christian, instead of showing respect back to show them love, they lash out with more doo doo from the mouth. When a christian is a jerk a pain or annoying, instead of the Atheist showing love and being patient back they again feel they are warrented to treat them like the scum of a boot.

 

The problem is.......Atheist need to show love and respect even when being disrepected or not loved, or being used, deceieved manipulated, hated on etc they need to show love under ALLL circumstances.. That would be the ultimate test

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Yeah, I get it: It's nice to be nice and all that, but I think I've heard enough already from christians and I don't see why we should give them more of a platform to preach here. Other websites serve that purpose. THIS website is for ex-christians looking for support ... not for undecided people who want to hear more before they make up their minds.

 

Yup.  It might be different if every single xian who has ever been here uses exactly the same crap logic or emotional appeal.  Since that's just not possible, I say we invite back Grandpa Harley and give him a double barrel. 

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Florduh or whoever designed this forum probably planned for Christians to come and debate, because there are three sub-forums for that purpose. Many ex-Christians members seem very eager to debate with Christian members - even when the Christian members often act like trolls.

 

The debate part doesn't interest me, but I enjoy getting different perspectives on questions.

 

However, many (not all smile.png ) Christians don't give honest answers about their experiences as Christians. I have found that on Christian forums too.

 

Dave created the site and he created it for exers, not xians.  He warns those xians who come here to expect vigorous debate.  At best, those xians that come here are cannon fodder for the new members to practice on.

 

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But nice idea direction, many christian do cast Atheists as angry people with uncontrollable bowels in the mouth, i used to be Atheist i know it isnt true lol, but the problem is when Atheist get disrespected by a christian, instead of showing respect back to show them love, they lash out with more doo doo from the mouth. When a christian is a jerk a pain or annoying, instead of the Atheist showing love and being patient back they again feel they are warrented to treat them like the scum of a boot.

 

The problem is.......Atheist need to show love and respect even when being disrepected or not loved, or being used, deceieved manipulated, hated on etc they need to show love under ALLL circumstances.. That would be the ultimate test

?????

 

what the fuck? ultimate test for fuck?

 

what the fuck is wrong with you? show respect? you have proven the point.... fuck you very much

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there you go such a loving statement, can you accuse christians of not showing love when you dont show it yourself? better not unless you want to be hypocrite of the century

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hypocrite of all ages?

 

god of that fucking bible

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1AA1 you are over generalizing.  That is why your idea is wrong.  Atheists are not a solid, unified block.  Atheists are not under any obligation to follow Christian dogma such as loving the whole world and are free to react to your wrong ideas as if they are wrong.

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But nice idea direction, many christian do cast Atheists as angry people with uncontrollable bowels in the mouth, i used to be Atheist i know it isnt true lol, but the problem is when Atheist get disrespected by a christian, instead of showing respect back to show them love, they lash out with more doo doo from the mouth. When a christian is a jerk a pain or annoying, instead of the Atheist showing love and being patient back they again feel they are warrented to treat them like the scum of a boot.

 

The problem is.......Atheist need to show love and respect even when being disrepected or not loved, or being used, deceieved manipulated, hated on etc they need to show love under ALLL circumstances.. That would be the ultimate test

 

Argument fail.

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there you go such a loving statement, can you accuse christians of not showing love when you dont show it yourself? better not unless you want to be hypocrite of the century

 

You need a dictionary.  Hypocrisy is acting differently than your professed beliefs.  You're the numbskull who is measured by the fruits of your spook.  None of us claim any of that.  We can be as nice or as assholish as we want and not a hypocritical leaf will rustle.

 

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