What can we do to keep hold of the participants we have who believe in Christ our God?

I don't think it is about the numbers, I think it is about the consistency, some of us never leave no matter the suspended accounts, rude remarks, mean and nastiness, we grow here in faith and we sharpen up.

it is sad when anyone leaves the forum, especially because people are being stupid. If the few we have stay and answer in truth, we will always have a presence. God is with us and :

"WHERE THERE ARE TWO OR THREE GATHERED IN MY NAME THERE I AM IN THE MIDST."

Jesus said that. We have nothing to fear. As a soldier on the battlefield for the Lord, just keep giving truth.

God bless you, we must keep the full armor on!

EDIT: FOR ASKER,

I understood your point, and I want to tell you that I really appreciate your encouraging words and your love of truth and concern for our fellow christians here. We need that! Stay.

I think you mean well in this post, but please do not think that the internet is a very viable method of evangelism.

First thing to get sorted. We cannot bring anyone to God. Only God can. BUT-- we can, as you say, show them the way. But to truly show them the way, they have to see how we live. They need to see us taking our free time that we could be relaxing on the couch feeding people at the local shelter. They need to see us camping out in prison and jail waiting rooms to visit people in prison and jail (even people we don't yet know). They need to see us caring for the sick and the dying, and going into violent conflicts and areas to work for peace. They need to see us living the life, and not just hearing us talking the talk.

It is sad, though, when they do leave. Because generally speaking (not all the time), atheists on this board are a lot more likely to leave snide quips that contain very little thought, instead of honestly and kindly answering questions that they disagree with.

That is not to say that we Christians don't have our own problems. Answering an atheist's or pagan's question with nothing but a long list of Bible verses does not help at all. They don't accept the Bible as a legitimate source, therefore, using it to convince them will do very little good. And I have seen quips that failed to deal with the actual question where the questioner was dismissed as being evil simply for posing a question as a non-believer, and that is not right either.

Yes we do, and I admit fautl. Am not here near as much as I should be or want to be. I think for me, I get so wrapped up in both poetry and relationships, and trying to help others that I forget about a place I can go with other believers.

However, this is also a brutal board. IMO there are far more non-believers and haters of Christ and Christians that man this board, show up immediately, and take the poster down, and down fast. Or, the get the post deleted because they are offended. Oh, I feel so bad about that lie.

Jesus is the Truth, the Whole Truth, and believe you me, Nothing but the Truth.

Jesus is Lord

Bri

Hi, atheist here. Technically, I used to be christian and I thought i would share some thoughts of mine. Please dont judge me for my decision, because it was mine alone to make and I think it reflects how i really feel about everything. Anyways, one way that i would suggest keeping a hold on some of your followers is to start "dancing to a new tune" christianity is turning into an old religion with things that have been disproven still being taught. In order to survive, something needs to be able to adapt and be flexible, evolution. The things that can do this survive, and the things that cant, die out. Christianity has a tendency to avoid telling people some things that may make them question their beliefs, or even to shun those that are critical thinkers. Start being more flexible and letting people think about what they believe in and tell them how christianity is still for them. If you keep telling somebody that they are on their way to a place they've lost the belief in, the phrase "you are going down a path to the lake of fire" becomes meaningless and powerless. I hope that you consider my words. Thank you!

P.S. If any other atheists have marked me down or gave me a thumb down, my view is that you should help everyone. I personally think that religion can be good in some cases if not in all or most. I'm not a traitor, because there is no war going on. Im just trying to help a fellow person keep what they believe in alive. I would hope that christians would try to do the same for us, but I wouldnt expect it. I am just trying to set a standard for decency and understanding for all religions and atheism. That is what we like to pride ourselves in, correct? Understanding? So understand that everyone deserves to get an answer and an honest opinion.

P.S.S Thank you for listening ^^

Jack...email is arcanestrike@gmail.com if you'd like to hear more.

how about instead of evangelizing, maybe you could all be inclusive, like us pagans. we try to show love, and compassion, and caring. but you guys have too much hate, and you do not follow your own laws. I'm sorry, but until you stop eating pork, using technology, and wearing clothes made of cotton, I cannot be a part of your faith. I mean 99% of you believe life begins at conception, yet you support the death penalty... 99% of you are homophobes, but commit identical sins.. how can that be justified.. I mean christ died for our sins, so the old testament is out.. all we have to do is believe.. but that is not enough is it?

I think of your question like I do gardening.

Did you know that many years ago (oh, I think about 50 years ago), people

could STILL put seeds of what they wanted to grow in the garden and it grew.

Now, even seedlings begun in a greenhouse have a tough time.

There was a time about 25 years ago that people in the city could

get a bumper crop of very large, dark green zucchini.

No more. Look at the size in the store. Not to mention organic ones!

What am I doing talking about gardening here?

I see Yahoo as a garden.

What is growing in that garden, and as you say, how can we

encourage and keep the 'plants' we want in this garden.

Well, in my garden I have to remove the weeds. Weeds have

never in my experience turned into good plants.

So then I remove them. I report a lot, and I also block a lot.

I might put the person back on to see how they do, but

I don't want trash in my garden.

Also, it is spiritual in nature, because one atheist asked

a sarcastic 'Christian' question but the spirit I sensed was

one of truly wondering so I answered it sincerely...as if it

was not sarcastic. The person liked what was said,

now has food for thought. But are ALL atheists searching

and thus should be allowed to ruin your garden?

Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth the laborers.

Think about going elsewhere... start your own site and invite people. You'll have better control of how things go and what is allowed. You can at least make sure people treat each other better than many do here.

Honestly, I don't see any "love" in the Christian religion. It's a very violent and judgmental view of the world.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that christianity is very obviously anti-human.

Shepherd's crook and consider a better latch on the sheep pen?

What can we do to keep hold of people, keep them in their place, keep them believing and agreeing just sounds so... ick..