I don't really know what I want to say here.

It's been pointed out by Lori on another post that Christians often forget how imperfect we are, and I agree wholeheartedly. I am now going to make myself look and feel stupid by saying that the post I made on the problems of atheism was a showing of arrogance really.
For me to stand up and say I know the absolute truth (I do beleive there is) is to say that I am better than everyone else in some way and this is not so. One of the failings of Christianity is our tendency to forget our extreme imperfections and that we are no better than anyone else.
It has been pointed out to me by one of my Bible College tutors that while there IS absolute truth, I can never FULLY know it as I am still looking at it through the lenses my culture places upon me, he also pointed out that while God is absolute, the Christian experience can be subjective to each individual and in a sense should be. He stated that when looking at the Bible I need to use the historical-critical method less and open myself up more to the literary method (reading the point and the message of the passage) in order to express more my own personal account of my adventure with Jesus.
He also said it is not my place to rubbish the views of others or retaliate when my beleifs are criticised, it is only my place to offer my opinion. So infinity, Onslaught and any others that I may have criticised, I apologise for my arrogance, and Onslaught, your winning streak stays in tack, I have no desire to try and beat you (well I do actually, but that desires not a good one).

So I look forward to further discussion with you all :)
Thanx for having me :) :) :) :)

Francis,

Now this is a truly refreshing post! :) By the way, in case I never mentioned it, welcome to ExoSci!

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An ye harm none, do what ye will.

Francis,

Well said!

"He also said it is not my place to rubbish the views of others or retaliate when my beleifs are criticised, it is only my place to offer my opinion."

Funny, I got very much the same lecture from the Goddess, only a lot stronger, LOL! She actually told me not to argue or debate, but to spend more time listening to others because EVERYONE, no matter their path, has something I can learn that will bring me closer to the Divine. I think that's sound advice for anyone, really, not just us pagan freaks. ;)

Her statement was that everyone eles's religious beliefs are "just as right" as mine are. That didn't make sense to me at first, but mulling it over in the day or two afterwards I saw what She meant. I think what She was saying is that all religions are wrong - "just as right" means none of them are 100% on the mark. All religions are reaching towards, but never quite getting to, the truth. "Many paths, one source", as the saying goes. Whether you see God as the Eternal Father who sent his Only Son to earth to Save Mankind, or you see God as the Natural Couple that reflect, control, and embody the forces of nature; it's the same Divine source, just seen through different eyes.

Namaste,
~MC

P.S. - Aye, welcome to Exosci! And have no fear, your criticism was probably mostly drowned out by old arguments anyway. ;)

Cheers,

Can't say that I really agree with you, but hey that's just my opinion, just as you won't agree with all that I believe. That's what makes the world such an interesting place and what would we learn if there was knowone to challenge us. I know I've learnt alot just in my short time here.

Must say I'm happy to be here :)

Francis-Surely, then, you'll agree with this:
It takes a strong man to admit when he's wrong.---General George Washington

I've seen many posts out her that I think were very good, but this is my favoriate one to date. It give me hope that we can let the other guy have his belief and still work together to try and make it a better place to live.

I may be wrong, but to me debating doesn't mean going to war, or putting the other guy down because we don't agree, but I've seen a lot of that out here. And as much as I hate to admit it I am just as guilty as anyone.

Anyway Francis I too welcome you and hope this post reminds us all to try and be a little more tollerant of each other when we don't agree.