I officially resign when it comes to engaging Oboehner in conversation. He repeats the same idiotic platitudes over and over and never responds to challenges except to sneer and trot out his usual catchphrases like "appeal to authority" and "religious belief". He's made me crazy for the last time.
If I had read this without knowing who you were talking about, I would have honestly expected it to be about Amos Moses.
I agree with the same thing for Amos; he does drive me crazy, but I am hoping that after a rest I might possibly be able to maybe go back and now that I know more about Fundies, have some serious fun with Amos. I'll still be doing my work to spread the gospel, because of the Silent people, and if I can, I'll direct the mistakes he makes directly head-on; after all, foreknowledge is a definite tactic I am willing to use if it will help others to avoid being Fundies too.
Don't want any of those pesky varmints around in the future, if it be the Lord's will.
I'm just not ready to take that on again yet. All of the support I've gotten especially from some of the posters here has been awesome and good at making me feel like I could actually be making a difference. That is an awesome feeling that cannot be compared to for me.
If you do go back, as Bob J. says, play it as a poker game, or a debate or whatever, but I say have fun doing it. As long as we are not behaving badly, especially when they are and we point it out, our lights will be far too brilliant for his darkness to remain for others. They will see by our light that the Fundies do not have the proof we have, and that their point of view is wrong, and here is why and what they need to do. Knowing what is a wrong interpretation is just as important as knowing what is right when learning the Gospel, don't you think? It teaches that others have a different view and it's because they read the gospel themselves, (hopefully) they might choose to follow the gospel, which Fundies never seem to actually seem to do.
I try not to interfere with other people's beliefs and prefer to tell them simply, then ask them to re-read the Gospel. Then it is up to them and God to put it together for themselves and personally choose which interpretation is closer (at least) to what they have read in the Gospel themselves.
By behaving well, and reining in our frustrations, we can choose our words carefully without being so much critical of their view, as being helpful to a brother or sister, and the others who read our posts will be more likely to actually check out what we say.
Jocasta, I encourage you to take a rest, but don't give up the fight for always. Take a break or vacation as it were and go back in the ring fighting for Truth, and for the silent people who might benefit from what you say in those 'poker games'.
I believe it brings Glory to God to do what we do, because we reflect Jesus, hopefully!
May God's blessings be with you always...
I am still learning who is who and who is of my faith etc. If I totally blew this and you are not fighting for faith, please forgive me. I will (try to) remember next time if you remind me when I make those mistakes, ok?