Christian apologetics: Dealing with hostile responses in face-to-face encounters

[thakorian]

Constructive and civil arguments are always desirable, but I think some people who are best equipped for such, have been driven to tedium and/or agitation by the constant re-emergence of previously debunked suggestions by the opposition, and the lack of common ground. By the lack of common ground I mean a lack of mutually accepted preconditions necessary for a logical discourse. And semantics only goes so far.

Still, this is not a defense for offensive behavior during arguments.

[shangobah]

Perhaps it would help to stop trying to brainwash people into slavery by attempting to force ancient mind control techniques on them?

[shangobah]

Religion = mind control

1. Everything that happens is the will of god

2. Ex communicate anyone who does not believe what they are told (or become agressive to them)

3. Then the upper elements with money and power do whatever they want, while the sheep think it is all the will of god.

In essence Christianity turns the wealthy elite into god over the people, and the people police themselves by spreading christianity.

[MRMOON1]

can some body explain the gospel of thomas to me #14an#114

[TheHonestTheist]

/watch?v=fFH0khjgA0U

[CmRoddy]

The USA is turning into what is described in Romans 1, and the hostility is just another sign in my opinion.

May God's grace open people's eyes. May God replace their hearts of stone into hearts of clay that He can mold.

[Vanmeter815]

CmRoddy@

I certainly agree. We need to be ready for the future, we do not need to be preparing for that out of fear, but an obligation to duty. It is no good to be motivated by fear of any kind and I have learned this, we need to be motivated by God's revelation and the spirit only. When people see that we are fearful and even paranoid, they are less likely to take us seriously, but if we appear to be speaking by the spirit with zeal and power that is the way to go. Not saying you are that way.

[WeAreMany1707]

do you think that because one is not christian one has a "heart of stone"?

[CmRoddy]

Yes

[WeAreMany1707]

thats pretty judgemental of you for a christian

[CmRoddy]

Excuse me? Do you even understand Christianity or are you speaking from ignorance? No sir, it is the truth. If you would like I can show you, from the Bible, that you are misrepresenting Christianity with this straw-man argument.

[WeAreMany1707]

what stra-man arguement? i asked a very simple question.

but actually i probably should ask, what exactly do you mean by "heart of stone"?

[Juliocyp]

@WeAreMany1707

""Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."" - Ezekiel 36:26

The heart of stone is refered to a disobedient heart of sin and rebellion toward God, not literally a heart of stone or one which we understand in "our langauge" of 'not having feelings', which you seemed to think it meant.

[WeAreMany1707]

yeah i has assumed that is what it meant (the "not having feeling" part) but thats why i asked.

anyways if thats what it means then i will keep my "heart of stone" thanks :) also i have a question...i promise it is an honest one...isn't part of christianity being humble, and if so why do most insist on the "we are right everyone else who does not agree is in a false religion" thing? even if you dont say it out loud or even really think about it too much, that is part of your belief is it not?

[Juliocyp]

Can you please define humility?

If you have said two plus two is five and and I know it's four, with you're definition of humility I am not allowed to say you're wrong.

You see, in our post-modern society, if you're confident about knowing real truth that not many others understand, it's percieved as arrogance, but you relly need to draw a line and understand we can know truth still and be humble.

[WeAreMany1707]

the probelm is that it is a fact that two plus two is four.

what christians see as "truth" is just a belief and not truth, same way i cant tell you that zeus is absolute fact even though there is as much "evidence" to support that as there is about god, so for one to claim their belief as fact then telling someone that their belief is false is not humble (i hope that made sense)

[Juliocyp]

You have made sense.

Being humble is important for Christians; before God, our Brothers and Sisters and non-Christians.

"what christians see as "truth" is just a belief and not truth"

That's where you and me differ.

I'm open minded and have done a fair bit of research, but you have to realise you hold a position in SOMETHING.

Why are you right and I wrong - I not trying to change the topic, but are you humble? Because again, I believe you are using the word humilty incorrectly.

[WeAreMany1707]

im just using it the way it is defined. my beliefs differ from yours but i know that they are not truth (by definition of the word truth) and im ok with that. my point is how can one be humble and think they are the only ones right in something that cannot even be proven true?

[Juliocyp]

"how can one be humble and think they are the only ones right in something that cannot even be proven true?"

But that's what you assume...i know what I hold to as being truth, if you think that's arrogant, then I can't help you anymore, nice talking! :)

[WeAreMany1707]

what undeniable proof do you have that your right and im wrong?

all im trying to say is that is ok to feel your beliefs are true but to say they are the only ones that are true when you cant prove it is, in my opinion, kinda arrogant.

its like me trying to tell you that Asatru is the one and only truth and your belief is false, i have just as much proof as you do of yours as well as my own experiences. so whats the difference?

[WeAreMany1707]

by the way you can message me instead if you want to, it would give you more space :)

[WeAreMany1707]

there are a lot of writings, books, and poems about the deities i worship that were written long ago before christianity, many people who claim to have seen these things, and many who even experienced it. the same thing christians have to go on when it comes to their god, yet so many have told me im a fool for following "false gods"

[WeAreMany1707]

humility - the defining characteristic of an unpretentious and modest person, someone who does not think that he or she is better or more important than others.

a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

[damianGray]

WeAreMany1707: Sorry, just read your reply. In my experience, there are just as many Christians as non Christians that have 'hearts of stone' as it were. And I am a christian, so I can say that without any bias.

[HenryvKeiper]

I had a similar discussion with a Muslim to the one you had, though it was a tad bit reversed. He asked why I believed in the Trinity, I gave my reasons. He then started going off on different passages, which I calmly refuted with scripture and history. He went off on different tangents, like the fellow in your story. Unfortunately he was more like the second person, in that he got more angry, even accusing me of not doing my research. I eventually had to give up, as I was getting no where.

[sincitypreacher]

Wise advice. I use the same tactics in my street evangelism.

[fenoglios]

Very good... thank you.

[Shenalmighty]

Good video, emotions can often times disrupt a an argument.

[migkillertwo]

"I'm disappointed"

what if the atheist is genuinely stupid, and unduly arrogant?

[maggoli67]

I agree that all sinners pretty much want to keep their sin. It's a struggle for we believers, but the fish don't know they are wet.

[maggoli67]

I should have added: we need to remember that we are not here to win arguments, but to honor God and hopefully be used to win souls. The unbelievers are not targets to score points off of in order to feel good about myself. I'm not pointing to anyone here, just a note in general. Keep on, bros!

[XiaoFury]

that was very good. Thanks.

[RossPK81]

You shouldn't bother having any time for people like that, there's no point. If someone is like that, just say 'Yeah, whatever mate, I don't agree' and walk off.

[HolyRevelation]

A fool has no desire in learning but only in expressing his own heart.

[patrox247]

I'm so glad Grammastola is back! I am willing to bet that a lot of Christians can relate to this video. This hits home. Great post!

[regelemihai]

Right on the money.

Many people who engage in these types of interactions approach the situation with the scope of mocking or aggresively "debunk" the opposing viewpoint. I've seen too many atheists here on YT who employ this tactic.

Ignoring and moving on is the ise choice.

Thanks for the vid, Dean ;)