For Christians. . .How can we expect to win over nonchristians if we are spiteful or rude in our anwsers?

Fugetaboutit. We're big boys and girls now and can handle rude and spiteful. And we get a kick out of "burn in hell" and similar garbage, since Hell's only in Norway - it makes you sound somewhat *ridiculous*, though.

And Give Up On "Winning Us Over" - Ain't Gonna Happen.

You've got a good point. No one is ever convinced by being told that they are stupid and evil and deserve to die and be burned forever (I get told this all the time by Christians). The reason people do this is that there are only two ways to reply to someone who accuses your beliefs of being illogical. The first is to argue that they are in fact logical--which frankly is difficult to do for someone who believes that the first woman was made from a rib, that 2-16 of each of the world's animals could fit on a tiny baot with eight people and food for thirteen and a half months, that a man could walk on water or turn it into wine (or conceivably walk on wine), that people can die and come back to life, etc. These don't hold up to scientific scrutiny or logic, and are simply a matter of faith, which sounds absurd to some people. The next option is to attack them in the same way that political concervatives attack the patriotism of anyone who has different ideas about how to run the country.

And your quote by Jesus is one of many quotes attributed to him. He also said he came to bring "not peace but a sword" and intended to set Christians against non-Christians (MT 10:34-39).

But thank you for realizing that being nice is better than being mean.

I find your choice of words very exposing of you. Do you find this to be a game? If not, then why are you trying to "win"? Perhaps it is a flaw in your thinking. You act as though you are right, and "nonbelievers" are wrong. While you may feel free to believe that, you cannot possible say with any comfirmable knowledge that your beliefs are any more valid than theirs. If any one religion out there was the real truth, then it could not be disputed by anyone. Instead of trying to "win" and convert others, perhaps you should seek to understand the validity of their arguments. You may feel as though I am attacking you and your beliefs, but I am not. I am trying to help you understand that your approach is flawed and cannot work with anyone who has a firm belief in whatever it is you wish to change about them. I respect your beliefs, but they do not make sense to me. I am an atheist, and I don't believe that any of know the truth. We must believe in what makes sense to us as individuals.

"Matthew 10:16 MKJV Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves."

mmmmmm... lamb chops!

alas, young soul, with free will and closed minds, some just don't know anybetter than to be mean. There are extreemists in all religions, who think that it is just and fair to demonise others that demonise them. Do I "blindly" accept the judain/christian views of faith and worship? no. nor do I blame the curent church for the past offences known as the burning times, however, I will not sit by and let someone tell me I am not welcome into their temple of worship just because I'm "not of their faith".

ignorance is not a sin, refusal of enlightenment is. all faiths have valid values and/or a place in the universe, even the darker paths. after all, the ballance must be maintained.

This will probably get reported for chatting, but since you don't allow email, imafotd, I'll say here that the quote you posted from Mother Theresa is lovely, and I appreciate that you posted it. It's going to go into my "favorite quotes" folder.

And with that, I bid you all a fond farewell until MUCH later today, or tomorrow. Life calls.

As a Christian I have no desire to win over non-Christians.

I do have a desire to develop personal relationship and have intelligent converstiaons with them about many different topics and just hang out and be normal human beings.

Basically the same desire I have for my relationships with my Christian friends.

Maybe the "christians" who are being rude would do better to not approach people with the intent of changing them, but with the intent of loving them WHERE THEY ARE AT.

I agree.

Actually I try not to let the flesh take over. I pray before I get on Yahoo and ask the Holy Spirit to give me the right words to say.

Thank you for pointing this out brother. Forgive us.

You're right. I think the saying goes 'You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar'. But...since there are many different people on here, I think some are just here to vent and have no expectations of winning anyone over. But, you never know...Some may pay atention.

People Are Often Unreasonable

People are often unreasonable,illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish,ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may just never be enough;

Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

----Mother Teresa

You must learn to forgive yourselves before you can ever expect to love and forgive anyone else. Love yourself and be compassionate to yourself; for inside you is what creates your world.

peace-imafotd

Ummm.....I realized on here a LONG time ago, there is no "winning over" here on this forum. I think many seek to damage. Out in the real world it's different. But I appreciate you asking this question.