One of us? He’d have to be VERY patient. I mean, he varies enough to actually TYPE that stuff in, not just copy-paste it. And he already provided a lot (not in content - as Heinlein would say, many of his sentences are semantically null).

Nah, no regular, I’d say. There’s at least SOME lifeblood behind it - either of the fundamentalist kind, or of the almost even stranger type that will spend hours and hours on a basically boring shtick simply to annoy others.

I am Gijnabar---how did you like my little joke?  HAHA---pretty funny, huh?

p.s.  how do i get a picture up here like some of you have with Dr. Spock and the Wolfman and the Les ipod?  I’ve got a mac.

Pretending to be me?

Now do you understand?

That list of people falsely saying they were Jesus posted by Spocko, the lying Egyptians saying their god raised from the dead, the satanic priests posing as christians during the inquisitions and countless other atrocities commited by those who pretend to have found true spiritual enlightenment.

Any dirty trick you can play to keep the truth hidden from the masses. You’re just like the rest of them.

Penshaft, just go to http://www.gravatar.com and follow the instructions.  Mac, Windoze, Linux, Sun OS, - makes no difference really.

Wonder what the server logs show about the sender’s IP address?

If it is a regular trying to be funny - hope you were kidding back there, Penshaft - it would be a disingenuous thing to do.

Gijnabar, if you’re not a joke, or a troll, you might want to look up “disingenuous.”

I’m getting more confident that Ginj is one of us in disguise

With an AOL address??

Gijnabar said: Knowledge puts the soul at risk, be careful with that.

So we make the written driver’s test a little harder and let natural selection weed out the ones that are too slow running across the highway.

The word gijnabar makes me think of a Power Bar made with pot.

Metalhead wrote;

You would imagine monks making the copies may have noticed a distinct lack of information about Jesus, especially when the records of the time were often so detailed as to have several pages dedicated to ordinary people. The fact there were only simple paragraphs dedicated to Jesus do seem to stick out when you would imagine him to have entire chapters dedicated to him!

The simple answer to that is, the people in power hated and feared Jesus back then, apparently they still do.
If you fall for the simple trick of them not recording His life story then you are the victom of the unholy conspiricy.
They broke their own laws to have Him trialed, lied about Him in the courtroom, persecuted and killed Him.
If you support a system that does not stand for Jesus then you are getting today what you want, but…

Spocko called me a willing pawn of the empire? Never happen, no way, never. Look again at these posts, I am the only one here who does question authority.

When I responded to Basil’s post;

Jesus will forgive murderers for there sins,
but he wont forgive me for not “believing�.

I replied with;

The reason for this, by my experience is that you don’t question authority. To strengthen your soul you must find the truth;

How did you take the comment ‘you don’t question authority’? As an imperative or a declaritive?
I would say your answer to that is based on your own mentality.

Spocko called me a willing pawn of the empire?

Oh, Star Wars references now? Okay, I give up. Its a troll/one of us.

Not like we couldn’t get an AOL adress (where I live its easier getting one than none, what with all the promotional ‘lifelong access free’ CDs).

first Ginja wrote: by my experience is that you don’t question authority.

then Ginja wrote:Look again at these posts, I am the only one here who does question authority.

Ambivalent? Well, yes and no…

Guess questioning God’s authority doesn’t count by Ginja’s last statement.

Ginja: Spocko called me a willing pawn of the empire?

You do have an AOL address.  Are you using all Microsoft software?

Ingolfson said: Not like we couldn’t get an AOL adress

True, but it’s a pain since they started requiring you to call in and verify checking account info, and they retain credit card numbers and block reuse of them.  Too easy to snatch a quick addy off gmail, yahoo, or huttmail.

I did some checking on our friend. His IP address does point back to AOL and it doesn’t match up with any of the regulars here. Doing a Google search for his name reveals that it only shows up here, the games forum at real.com, and at the Bioware Neverwinter Nights forums. Most of his entries at the NWN Forums are from 2003 and the Real.com Forums are from 2004. His profiles there are similar enough to what he describes here to assume it’s a match and his literacy level is about the same.

I’m not positive he’s a troll, but the optimistic side of me is hoping he is for the simple fact that the alternative to him being a troll is that he really is a highly credulous moron. He’s too close to being a parody to take seriously, but he’s too consistently clueless compared to his other postings elsewhere to assume that he’s really smarter than he portrays himself to be.

He claims to be a Christian n00b… in my experience they get all inspired and overcome with the need to spread the Gospel like Gij does.  Sort of like those fucking annoying ex-smokers who’ve “seen the light” and make it their mission in life to “save” those of us who figure we have every right to kill ourselves if we damn well please.

Guess questioning God’s authority doesn’t count by Ginja’s last statement

Actualy questioning God’s authority is how you find out if you have God.
Jesus doesn’t say it’s a sin to question any action or voice, because that is how you find Him.
Now of course,there being only two directions you can go in, once you find out you are going in the direction that will take you to God, then there is no need to question that particular decision and you can begin readying for the next one. How can you make sure you though right? Please, continue reading the example below for that.

It is as if to say, if you are on the highway and you check your map(question God’s authority), and see that you are taking the correct route to get to where you are going (You find that God is right), you will not become lost unless you stray from your course. If your map is wrong (you are not 100% convinced you are going to heaven) then you need to get a new one.
Our lives are a road trip to eternity, and there are two destinations, eternal life in Heaven and eternal death in Hell. Always check your route along the way, if you do not have Jesus giving you the directions then you are with Satan.

Jesus said He will not sit at the same table with Satan, He also said the way into Heaven is narrow and straight and many souls will be lost along the way.
Applying that to the road trip example it is like, while driving you ask Jesus for directions for each decision you must make, Jesus do I turn here? How many streets do I pass before I turn? Help me Jesus, I think I’m lost again.
Do not ask anyone else for directions, if you see a stranger on the side of the road do not stop and pull over to ask that person directions. He might give you false directions or worse offer to drive you there himself, he might say something like ‘Oh, I know the way, scoot over, I’ll drive you there it’s easy, now you’ll have your hands free so you can do other things, heh heh. See how much better this is, now you can enjoy the trip.’ As you drive past Heaven and you certainly will, you might say to the stranger behind the wheel ‘Oh, we missed it, that looked like Heaven back there, we better turn around.’, but the stranger doesn’t. He has no idea where heaven is, only Jesus does. Now I’m not saying who that stranger might be, could be anyone; your priest, Muhammed, Budha or Satan himself it’s all the same, in John 14:6 Jesus says, “ I am the truth, the light and the way: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.”

What I find particularly amusing about Gijnabar is the possibility that he thinks his preaching is teaching us something or that he’s saying something most of us haven’t already heard or read many times before.

I am wanting to tell everyone I can who is not going to Heaven that I am going to Heaven, and besides that I was under the impression you want to discuss things of the religious nature, I thought that was the point of a large section of your site this thread in particular.

Gloat much?

Yes, I’d like to discuss. You’re not discussing, you’re preaching. There’s a difference.

So match me a bit, share your wisdom and give me the exact details on your beliefs the way they ask for them on mine.

Here’s a question for you,
How does your belief offer an eternal afterlife that is safe from beings that are superior to me that want to do me harm?

If you tell me there are no such beings, then I ask you this, How can you be sure?

Dude, do you see that section in the navigation bar that’s labeled “Stupid Evil Archives?” Ever think that maybe I’ve written a lot of that stuff down already?

Here’s a question for you,
How does your belief offer an eternal afterlife that is safe from beings that are superior to me that want to do me harm?

I don’t believe there is an afterlife. When you die you cease to exist as a self-aware entity and your body breaks down into its various base components in the ultimate form of recycling.

As for being safe from things that are superior to you, dude, I’ve seen lab mice that could be considered superior to you. Do you lay awake at night fearing they’ll come and take away all your cheese?

If you tell me there are no such beings, then I ask you this, How can you be sure?

The total lack of evidence for starters, but then I don’t claim to be absolutely certain about very many things. I’m open to the possibility that Gods/Demons/Aliens/Bogeymen may exist, but so far there’s been nothing to support the ideas that they do beyond the ravings of folks such as yourself.

I am wanting to tell everyone I can who is not going to Heaven that I am going to Heaven

How can that not be a joke?  If it isn’t then the little bit of faith I have in humanity would be unjustified.  No one could truly express such a sentiment.  Could they?

The total lack of evidence for starters, but then I don’t claim to be absolutely certain about very many things. I’m open to the possibility that Gods/Demons/Aliens/Bogeymen may exist, but so far there’s been nothing to support the ideas that they do beyond the ravings of folks such as yourself.

Sorry to hear that, for you. The fact that as hard as you try to shake the feeling they exist and still cannot is proof they exist.

If you would admit that you are wrong you would never be closer to the truth. Admit you are wrong to Jesus and you find the truth with God.

You can not admit that sometimes you have to stop to reflect that you might be wrong, and if you decide you are right then you are still wrong? Only if you find out you are wrong then you are right.

Do you remember how when Jesus taked about how people could go to church every sunday make worship preach in his name and still not find their way into Heaven?

It is only by relying on Jesus for all decision making that you find the way to Heaven.

Now you teach against Him? You are still open to the possibility that they exist, gods, demons all that, even bogeymen and aliens, but you do not desire more than to rot stinking in a grave?
As you explained it to me decompse into our organic materials the ultimate form of recycling.

You seen lab mice superier to me, you say this after earlier posting that you admit to not knowing who I am, though you seemed to have tried finding out. You think I lie awake fearing mice?
Not a chance of me fearing anything on this world, not a chance.

How can that not be a joke?  If it isn’t then the little bit of faith I have in humanity would be unjustified

No, I’m not here to tell you jokes, I’m here to tell you to give up on that little bit of faith you have left in humanity, and turn to God who is Jesus with it.

You only ever see the devils when they first enter your mind and only for a very short while, as you accept them, doing what ever it was that you did, such as speaking out agianst the Lord or something, such as willingly commiting a sin.

Once, inside you they take over and begin taking you down to Hell, and ruining your life.

They don’t want you to know they are in there, and Jesus said He will not sit at the same table as the devil. He said you cannot serve both Mammon and God at the same time.

Les, read your posts, you serve Mammon, you’re on your way to Hell.

You deny existence because you are afraid of the truth, and blame your pride for that. Do not be afraid of the devil’s they cannot hurt you while you are still alive, but you have to drive them out from your mind by accepting the gospel. Tell yourself you will read the bible with the intention to learn from it, tell yourself you are going to read the bible because it has the gospel and the gospel was given to us by Jesus.

Admit that Jesus is the saviour, the devils fear Him and He will save your soul from Hell.

You cannot escape the Devil, Les. No one beside Jesus can overpower Satan, trust me on that one.
Satan likes the work you have been doing for him on your website, he has been using you and you will be the one to pay for your own labors in Hell.

Your arrogance is growing…

Sorry to hear that, for you. The fact that as hard as you try to shake the feeling they exist and still cannot is proof they exist.

... you assume to know what I think and feel now. I don’t have to shake the feeling at all because I don’t have the feeling that they exist. I said I was open to the possibility, I didn’t say that I thought it was at all likely to be true.

Regardless of whether or not I may have the “feeling they exist” that doesn’t count for much as evidence. I used to believe with all my heart that Santa Claus existed, I could feel it in my bones. Better yet my faith was rewarded every Christmas morning with tangible gifts. I had more than just a feeling to base my faith in Santa on, I had gifts! There are days when I still can capture that feeling that Santa might really be out there someplace because it’s something that would be wonderful if it were true, but that doesn’t make it true. Are you going to tell me now that Santa really does exist because I sometimes can’t shake the feeling that he might?

If you would admit that you are wrong you would never be closer to the truth. Admit you are wrong to Jesus and you find the truth with God.

You’re preaching again, not discussing. There’s nothing for me to admit to. For that matter, I could turn that statement around and use it against you. It’s just as applicable in reverse.

You can not admit that sometimes you have to stop to reflect that you might be wrong, and if you decide you are right then you are still wrong? Only if you find out you are wrong then you are right.

I can easily admit that I stop and reflect on my beliefs on a regular basis. In particular I do this whenever a new bit of information becomes apparent that could shift my stance on the issue. I do this because I know better than anyone that I can be, and have been, wrong on any number of issues so I have to be willing to adjust my viewpoint as new knowledge comes along. That’s the very definition of being open minded.

If I were as you describe then I’d be closed minded. The last people I’m likely to trust are folks like you who think you have it all figured out and are beyond questioning your own beliefs. You’re so certain that you’re right that you can’t even imagine that you might be wrong and that makes you very dangerous in my book. You’re just as capable of being wrong as I am, but you’re the one who can’t own up to it.

Do you remember how when Jesus taked about how people could go to church every sunday make worship preach in his name and still not find their way into Heaven?

It is only by relying on Jesus for all decision making that you find the way to Heaven.

You’re still preaching. Do you want to discuss this or just preach? If you’re just going to preach then you save yourself the effort and just shut the hell up.

Now you teach against Him? You are still open to the possibility that they exist, gods, demons all that, even bogeymen and aliens, but you do not desire more than to rot stinking in a grave?
As you explained it to me decompse into our organic materials the ultimate form of recycling.

There’s nothing to teach against. I don’t believe he exists.

And what I desire has no bearing on the truth. I want Santa to exist, but he doesn’t. The fact that I cease to exist at death doesn’t bother me in the least. Would I prefer an afterlife? Depends on what it’s like, but my desire one way or the other has no influence on whether or not such things exist. I’m not interested in believing in comfortable fantasies. I want to know the truth in as much as it can be known regardless of how happy or sad it may make me.

You seen lab mice superier to me, you say this after earlier posting that you admit to not knowing who I am, though you seemed to have tried finding out. You think I lie awake fearing mice?
Not a chance of me fearing anything on this world, not a chance.

Your problem becomes clearer all the time. You’re a literalist. Sarcasm is wasted on you because you don’t seem capable of seeing it. My efforts to look further into who you might be was only to offset the possibility that you were a troll just looking to stir up trouble. Sadly you appear to be just as clueless as you portray yourself to be.

No, I’m not here to tell you jokes, I’m here to tell you to give up on that little bit of faith you have left in humanity, and turn to God who is Jesus with it.

In other words, you’re here to preach. Take it someplace else if that’s all you’re going to do. Which is pretty much all your next reply ends up being. More preaching and making of assumptions.

Les, read your posts, you serve Mammon, you’re on your way to Hell.

I’ve read my posts, they are mine after all. It’s beyond your capacity to understand that you’re unlikely to convince me that I’m in service to something or in danger of going to someplace I don’t believe exists. You’re going to have to do better than simple preaching if you want to convince me of these things.

You deny existence because you are afraid of the truth, and blame your pride for that.

You’re again being arrogant in trying to tell me what I’m afraid of. I’m not afraid of the truth, if I were I’d still be hiding behind the same book you are.

Do not be afraid of the devil’s they cannot hurt you while you are still alive, but you have to drive them out from your mind by accepting the gospel. Tell yourself you will read the bible with the intention to learn from it, tell yourself you are going to read the bible because it has the gospel and the gospel was given to us by Jesus.

More arrogant preaching from you. I’m not afraid of devils because I don’t believe they exist. There’s literally nothing to fear. I’ve read the Bible many times. Over four complete read throughs and I keep one handy for when the nutcases such as yourself stop by. You seem to have ignored my mentioning that I used to be a believer and had even considered going into the clergy at one time. That it was, in fact, my reading the Bible with the intention of learning from it that started my move away from believing. Of course, you’d know this if you’d read the archives.

Incidentally, not four weeks ago I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I agreed to participate in a one-on-one Bible study session with a fellow I met when he was conducting a religious survey in the neighborhood. I’ve been meaning to write an entry on it, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Still, that’s something you didn’t know and shows your ignorance of what I have and haven’t done in regards to my past religious status. Stop making assumptions like you have any clue what I think, feel, believe now or in the past. It just makes you look like a fucking idiot.

Admit that Jesus is the saviour, the devils fear Him and He will save your soul from Hell.

You cannot escape the Devil, Les. No one beside Jesus can overpower Satan, trust me on that one.

You’ve demonstrated quite clearly that you are the last person I should trust for advice on spiritual matters. You claim you want to discuss, but all you do is preach. You make prejudicial assumptions based on what you think you know as a certainty and what you think you know about non-believers. I wouldn’t trust you to give me directions to the corner store let alone to tell me the reality of gods and demons.

Satan likes the work you have been doing for him on your website, he has been using you and you will be the one to pay for your own labors in Hell.

Not to worry, Santa and the Easter Bunny assure me they can kick Satan’s ass and I can go live with the elves and help make toys for all the good little girls and boys when I die.

I was going to try and stay out of this one but it annoys me no end the way individuals can throw threats around and feel no shame.

Gijnabar: Les, read your posts, you serve Mammon, you’re on your way to Hell.

Satan likes the work you have been doing for him on your website, he has been using you and you will be the one to pay for your own labors in Hell.

Dude, if you were to say to Les: “I have a friend who is going to put you in a cage and set you on fire” this would be a threat you could be arrested for. It doesn’t matter if you say it isn’t you carrying out the action. You are threatening his safety and peace of mind. Just because you hide behind a religion, it doesn’t change the fact that you are attempting to cause another person to feel menaced.

You lack permission to judge anyone, regardless of who you think died and gave you the right to throw threats around.

Chain yourself to your religion if you wish, but forgo the threats you obviously feel you have a god given right to dispense. You have no missive where others are concerned, but your boundless ego has you presuming to know the unknowable and the horrible fates of others.

You did come here to preach, and preaching is an annoying activity. You’ve learned bad behavior from other’s who claim to have the right to instruct, sans facts, and none of you seem to realize how abhorrent your actions are. Wake up and smell the conceit!

WHAT?!? Santa and the easter bunny really do exist?!? You mean I could have got free shit all of this time IF I were only good?! I Wanna be saved!! Save me Santa!

[ p.s. bring hookers, beer and candy ]

I agreed to participate in a one-on-one Bible study session with a fellow I met when he was conducting a religious survey in the neighborhood.

Do so, Les. We’d be interested.

I don’t believe there is an afterlife. When you die you cease to exist as a self-aware entity and your body breaks down into its various base components in the ultimate form of recycling.

As an aside - I recently talked about this with a catholic believer (and on a first date to boot...). We were trying to define ‘soul’. I stated that I think of the soul as a gestalt of my concious and unconcious thoughts, but also of my actions, the way I’m perceived by others, and the way I touch others through my actions. In a way then, my soul will ‘echo’ for some time after my death - through children, friends, memories.

Its only a philosophical concept, but it helps and even soothes a little when you contemplate the ‘dust to dust’ part at the end of life as an atheist.

The fact that I cease to exist at death doesn’t bother me in the least

Can you explain this, Les? Am I misreading you or do you really mean that you are unafraid of death? Or simply of what comes AFTER death?

I mean, I fear death a LOT. Cessation. End. Finis. So many things undone, so many possibilities unrealized…

But you are right, Les. Better to know (or maybe to not search too hard if it hurts you) than to hide behind falsehood which you have to convince yourself of first.