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Evangelizing: Assistance Required
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:45 am
by Lluvia
A while ago, I registered at a Final Fantasy forum looking for people to discuss the game series with. Well, I somehow ended up losing touch with that community, and have recently decided to re-join, unbeknownst to the members, out of curiosity. It winds up they are incredibly hateful toward Christianity, and consequently, I felt compelled to defend the faith amongst them. This didn't go so well. Their "gang leader" who goes by "Epyon" is chock full of propaganda, and the other members are chock full of contempt...to put it lightly. In conclusion, I grew weary of tolerating them, and decided to leave. This is not to say I cannot invalidate their scandalous assertions against Christianity - I'm simply enormously sensitive. Although, the fraudulent statements in opposition to the Truth cannot just sit there without being disproved, as if true. So, I ask that someone strong and able to handle these unbelievers step in as my replacement. However, please do not mention that I invited you. I do not want them thinking they got to me. So, without further ado, is the thread in which it all occurred. (Note: You have to register in order to view the thread.)[color=black][font=Verdana] [font='Times New Roman'][color=black][font='Times New Roman'][color=#0000ff]http://ga.gloriousff.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7010[/font][/color][/font][/color]
http://ga.gloriousff.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7010 Thank you and God bless. ^^[/font][/color]
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:56 am
by Hephzibah
Well matie, something similar happened to me. It was on a Lord of the Rings forum, and I ended up quiting because the Debate Thread (where I normally posted) was [i found] extremely anti-Christian. However, this period helped me to learn something very valuable. You CANNOT argue anyone into the Kingdom. Unless the person's heart is softened by God, the word will just fall on 'the path' as it were. Nothing you can do will be able to make that seed grow, it is all in God's hands.
These people sound very much like the people I encountered; they are so hardened to the concept of Christianity, that they will not treat anything you say as truth or valid. Hard truth, but unfortunately in most cases that's how it is.
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 1:00 am
by Lluvia
I realize this, but my intention now is not to convert anybody, but simply to defend the faith. ^.^
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 1:06 am
by Hephzibah
Aaah ok. Well, unfortunately I don't think I would be up to that task, as like you I consider myself extremely sensitive.
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:13 am
by Hoshika
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
-Luke 8:5-8
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
-Proverbs 12:15
All we can do is tell people about Christ so those that accept the truth can be saved. The gospel is given so that people who hear might accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and not continue on the path that leads to Hell. If people challenge your gaith really I think that comes from no one but the devil and you should right away tell satan to go kick rocks. God knows our hearts and we don't have to proove our faith to anyone but Him.
If you want to share the Good News with others don't be afraid. Know that God is always with you no matter what. If people can't accept it that is their loss.
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 11:01 am
by Lluvia
C'mon! This would be an opportune moment to exercise one's apologetics. ^^
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 11:53 am
by Radical Dreamer
Whoo! Been there, done that. I know exactly what you're going through, Lluvia. Man, do I know. I found myself in the same situation on a Kingdom Hearts forum in the debate section. Topics ranged all over, from Homosexuality to God or no God, and I did my best to keep them at bay...Unfortunately, I was one of only two or three good Christians on that forum, and they didn't always post in the sections I most frequented. Gosh, I hated going to that forum...I kept going back because I knew that I had to answer the questions they were throwing at me, not to mention defend my faith against them. It was really stressful, and I always ended up depressed afterward. I only go back once every now and then to check my PM's, but I rarely ever go to the boards, unless I'm feeling up for the challenge. I remember asking for help too, actually...But the guy never responded! -_-' Well, I can try to give you a little bit of help, but I'm not sure how often I'll be able to go...I'll do my best, though! ^_^
EDIT: Oh wow. I dropped by and registered, and it was worse than I thought it would be! I only went to one topic, one about the Bible being true or false, and the people there have no remorse...There is one member, her name was Voice, and she was doing an excellent job defending the Christian faith...I was just reading her welcoming page, and I cannot believe some of the things that were said to her! Really, the prejudice was just unbelievable. Well, I still hope I can help out, even though I'm not sure I have an adequate education for dealing with those people...
EDIT AGAIN: ^_^ Wow...It just occured to me...Are you Voice? The link you gave went straight to that thread, and the only Christian there was Voice...Well, if that was you, then you were doing a magnificent job! ^_^ While reading some of the posts, I almost PM'd you to say how much I agreed with what you said! You backed up everything you said with God's Word, and you explained everything so intelligently...I was highly impressed! I totally understand how you don't want to go back, though...I certainly wouldn't want to! Just remember: "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." - 1 Peter 4:14
Bye!
~Rurouni_Kaoru
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:00 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
are you Voice on that forum?
it is quite sad when you see someone who is not saved throw down those who have that faith
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:10 pm
by Fsiphskilm
Iori posted something.
I hate when people post those pathetic "bible contradictions" websites, written by people who don't understand anything.
I visited the site, and Can honestly say, I've seen 12 years olds make better points.
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:15 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
Volt wrote:I hate when people post those pathetic "bible contradictions" websites, written by people who don't understand anything.
I visited the site, and Can honestly say, I've seen 12 years olds make better points.
true... and true
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:42 pm
by Lluvia
Indeed, you can't implement mortal reason on spiritual affairs. At any rate, I initially make my appearance on page 3 in that thread, thus instead of reading all of that, you may desire to cut time short by skipping to page 3, as the topics change a lot following the post I make there. (The post number is #33.) Rurouni_Kaoru – it is so nice to receive a response from someone who seems to truly understand what I underwent. ^^ I'm almost always the only Christian, struggling to defend attack after attack among a colossal assembly of pagans. It really makes you feel defenseless. I, too, tried to get someone to lend a hand before I created this thread here, and didn't receive a reply. I was under a lot of stress conversing with these skeptics; I even shed tears over this matter. It is really nice for you to try and have my back. Thank you so, so much. ^^ Iori – thank you for posting a reply. It was beautiful.
EDIT: Oh, and I am the one who goes by "Voice". ^.^
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 1:42 pm
by Radical Dreamer
^_^ Haha! In regards to your edit, yeah, I just figured that out a few minutes ago...When I started reading your posts, I thought, "Wouldn't it be funny if that was her?" It didn't really occur to me until I read your last post in the welcoming section that it actually was you! ^_^ But I should say that I think you handled yourself extremely well, and all of your replies were in such a calm manner that it wouldn't seem that you were even slightly distressed by the whole thing! Well, I hope at least one person was changed by something you said...you never know, right? ^_^
Bye!
~Rurouni Kaoru
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 1:53 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
i know too what youre going through, im previous message boards i was on... there were a ton of athiests, and a gnostic dude... and... ill tell ya! its hard!
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 4:03 pm
by Ashley
Lluvia/Voice, I think the best encouragement I can give you is to "stand firm" (hey, Paul said it a lot so it must be worth something!) Seriously, never back down from who you are as a Christian. That doesn't mean you have to fly around screaming "TURN OR BURN!" and bashing people over the head with the 10 commandments, but it does mean being open and honest about your faith no matter what is said or done back to you. What is the worst they can do to you there? Yes, ugly words hurt no matter what nursery rhymes may say--but I truly believe if you continue to stand for your faith, and live a life of gentility and love towards those that hurl insults on you, your witness will be far more powerful than if you were to nitpick apart every single point they made. So that is what I would do--continue to stand, and act with a gentle spirit so that all may see the true change in you. When you can take crap like that without reacting in anger...people stop, watch, and wonder why you are so different.
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 5:39 pm
by Yojimbo
Hey good going Lluvia on defending the Word. You're very well spoken and eloquent but sadly it's hard to have an intelligent argument with people who automatically write off whatever you have to say before you say it.
And yes I find it very funny when people link other random Bible/Christian bashing sites to support their arguments. I'm sure if I looked hard enough I could find a well written site that tries to justifty that the Earth is flat or that we're all inherently psychic but it still won't make it fact.
Those last couple posts there show their contradictions when they say they're not bashing Christians. Anyway is Iori you Volt?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 5:53 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
yeah... you don't have to win people over in arguments... but what you gotta do is get your point across
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 6:32 pm
by Lluvia
It looks as though the staff, without prior notice, just deleted that thread. Very, very peculiar. I wonder why? Well, that's that, I guess. Thank you everyone, for your support. ^^ You have no idea how happy you made me.
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 1:52 pm
by Fsiphskilm
I wonder if It were something I posted?
I just posted posted something that gave a rather good bit of protection for us. And now it's deleted?!
This sucks, looks like someone's jelious that the truth came out. THe truth that without Christianity we'd be no-where today. Funny thing is, the other threads like Satanism, Jesus was a Mulsim, and other garbage, are still there.
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 8:52 pm
by Yojimbo
Volt wrote:I wonder if It were something I posted?
I just posted posted something that gave a rather good bit of protection for us. And now it's deleted?!
This sucks, looks like someone's jelious that the truth came out. THe truth that without Christianity we'd be no-where today. Funny thing is, the other threads like Satanism, Jesus was a Mulsim, and other garbage, are still there.
It's the double standard of the secular world. I remember the last few posts on that thread were the Eonym whatever person getting called out for lying that no one bashed Christians. Then that other guy practically cussing out Voice here then it's gone. And yeah Judeo/Christian laws are the basis for our Constitution and the laws of the free world.
Well Jesus wasn't a Muslim, or white, or black, he was a dark skinned Hebrew.
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:07 pm
by Hoshika
It's obvious what the mind set and beliefs of the administration on that board are. When I encounter crap like that I just make the point and leave it at that and hopefully someone with ears to listen and eyes to see will read it and be saved. Some people just enjoy arguing and are just utterly out there it'd be easier to tell a mountain to jump into the ocean than to talk sense into people like that.
Volt, I have no idea what you posted but I'm pretty sure it was a prayer, right? Even if they deleted what you typed your calling out to God for protection was heard. Even if every Bible in existance was burned God's word will still be etched in our hearts.
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:59 pm
by Lluvia
Yojimbo wrote:I remember the last few posts on that thread were the Eonym whatever person getting called out for lying that no one bashed Christians. Then that other guy practically cussing out Voice here then it's gone.
Hmm? What do you mean?
PostPosted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:42 pm
by Yojimbo
Lluvia wrote:Hmm? What do you mean?
Last post I read in that thread was some guy saying something to the effect of "yeah I bashed them but I told you guys she would f-ing start this." Don't remember the username but yeah it was something like that. Then the next time I checked it was gone.
PostPosted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:00 pm
by THE ANIME MAN
Yojimbo wrote:Last post I read in that thread was some guy saying something to the effect of "yeah I bashed them but I told you guys she would f-ing start this." Don't remember the username but yeah it was something like that. Then the next time I checked it was gone.
That woulda been Dark Firebrand. Don't even have to check the site to know who said that.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 2:21 am
by Fsiphskilm
I simply named a few companies.
YMCA, RedCross that were started by christians, the constitution being somewhat based on our Bible.
The fact that our bible was written by 20+ people, all talking about the same thing, prophecising and proving thousands of years of proven scripture. Only to be dissed on by a muslim who follows a bible that was written by 1 person.
I didn't say anything mean, or offensive, just little facts and reasons why people should treat all christians as individuals because all of us are works in progress. No-one is perfect.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:49 am
by Vash is a plant
Jesus, a muslim? What? Islam came into being long after Jesus rose from the grave..! Some people make no sense.. -_-
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:23 am
by Cap'n Nick
I've also seen proponents of Jesus as a Buddhist, pantheist, Wiccan, humanist, or just about any other philosophy people feel like cramming him into. Heaven forbid he actually be what he said he was
.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 4:48 pm
by Hephzibah
Nicely said there Cap'n! You know, its funny how people say that Jesus was just a 'good guy' and that there are many ways of going to heaven, when Jesus clearly said that He is the only way to the Father.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:06 pm
by Vash is a plant
Talame wrote::lol: Nicely said there Cap'n! You know, its funny how people say that Jesus was just a 'good guy' and that there are many ways of going to heaven, when Jesus clearly said that He is the only way to the Father.
It's like what C.S. Lewis said one time that people can't just say that He was a good man that taught good things. It's quite apparent, especially in John, that Jesus believed he was the Son of God, God incarnet, and He told this to people. If He wasn't, that would then make Him a liar and blasphemer. How could anyone call someone like that a good man. Lewis puts it down to 3 options: Jesus was a phony, or He was insane, or He was who He said He was: God. None of those options leave room for being "just a good man".
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:10 pm
by Vash is a plant
[quote="Cap'n Crack"]I've also seen proponents of Jesus as a Buddhist, pantheist, Wiccan, humanist, or just about any other philosophy people feel like cramming him into. Heaven forbid he actually be what he said he was ]
A long time ago I heard someone say that Jesus was Buddah... Humanism didn't really come around until the Renaisance. Yes, heaven forbid that Jesus could be who He really is.. -_- I just wonder how these people think up these things and believe them inspite of historical evidence around them... it's sadening..
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:06 pm
by THE ANIME MAN
Vash is a plant wrote:A long time ago I heard someone say that Jesus was Buddah... Humanism didn't really come around until the Renaisance. Yes, heaven forbid that Jesus could be who He really is.. -_- I just wonder how these people think up these things and believe them inspite of historical evidence around them... it's sadening..
Well, its not so much they beleive Jesus IS Budha, however the religion states that Jesus is one of the many incarnations of Budha. WHy not do some research into the Budhist beliefs so you understand their way of thinking. I'm not saying you should worship them just study, For God did say not to judge others, well one of the best ways to not judge some one else is to understand the why behind their religions and cultures.