its funny how they call this christian fiction... Showing 1,101-1,150 of 1,587

[Mary]

OK...I think it is now time to stop feeding the troll.

[Catherine]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "I was born with a blood defect and was completely transfused at birth to save my life. Many years later a young lady, a Jehovah's Witness, told me: "It would..."

Glenn wrote: "I was born with a blood defect and was completely transfused at birth to save my life. Many years later a young lady, a Jehovah's Witness, told me: "It would've be better if they hadn't done that."..."
Hey you having that transfusion saved your life so she had no right to say that to you. I am a true Christian and I believe God gave us doctors to help us. The JW do not believe that. They also do not believe in the trinity, they believe that Jesus was a good man who walked the earth. I am sorry you feel the way you do about Christians but the JW are wrong.

[Glenn]

Catherine wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "I was born with a blood defect and was completely transfused at birth to save my life. Many years later a young lady, a Jehovah's Witness, told m..."

Catherine, Please don't misunderstand me, I am not anti-Christian at all. In the context, I was merely trying to identify that my dealings with people of varying beliefs, including atheists and theocrats, things have been said to me that did not serve to persuade me to their cause. I just think that if you malign the other person's beliefs, you do no good to yours. And you alienate those that believe as you do. I don't really understand why anyone would want to hold them selves up to ridicule. Mary and her mother, as Mary describes her, I could listen to with an open mind, with interest, and appreciate and understand their positions. And I could in no way insist that either, or both of them, are wrong.

[Glenn]

And JW's are not Christians, and don't, as far as I can ascertain, identify themselves as such. Othodox Christianity does not consider JW's to be Christians. But of course, guilt by association is an old and spurious device. Something similar to Godwin's Law? How about Glenn's Law? Nice ring to that. And totally devoid of words of four letters.

[Glenn]

While we are on the subject of four-letter words. With whom do we want to associate ourselves: A team of neurologists and psychologists at the UCLA Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research suggested that swearing may help differentiate Alzheimer's disease from frontotemporal dementia.

[Joanna (J)]

Geezer wrote: "but it was written to scare the pants off of anyone that believes in Revelations.

Every generation has a fear of/desire for the Apocalypse. Somehow its implied that death and destruction will giv..."


If I was gonna be here for that period of time, I'd be scared too. I'm nervous enough NOW, just looking around at everything that's going on. And, if you want a touch stone of how real it might turn out to be, consider the RFID chip. If you've ever read Revelation 13, and the fact that the RFID is being tried, experimentally, in pets and new borns, then who's to say that, one day, it WON'T be tried on the rest of society? Heck, I had to get a gov issued photo id. just to get a cell phone. And that's after 6 years with the same company and the same work id that was okay before. Just sayin...

[Joanna (J)]

Dave wrote: "Karen wrote: "What exactly is your beef about on this Dave?"


I simply do not believe the claims from evangelicals about Christian charity and compassion when the large majority of them are raging..."

Dave wrote: "Karen wrote: "What exactly is your beef about on this Dave?"


I simply do not believe the claims from evangelicals about Christian charity and compassion when the large majority of them are raging..."


Have you met the 'majority' of the evangelicals you insist are war mongers? I'm a Christian and I'd be very happy if war ended five minutes after this post was written.

As for the death penalty, that is a dicey issue. On one hand, you don't want to execute someone who turns out to be innocent, of the crime they've been sentenced for. That is totally understandable. But what about the serial rapist or killer, or the child molester? I wouldn't mind seeing people (esp. latter group) lose that part of their ....abusive power.

To be fair, though, you shouldn't make such blanket statements unless you have met the majority of the people you are so sure are war mongers. If you can prove it, that's one thing. Otherwise, you're slinging dirt at innocent people.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

What evil doings are you involved in that you don't want a photo id?

[Joanna (J)]

Moon wrote: "I really liked the Left Behind books, but Revelations was always my favorite book in the Bible so that might explain my attraction. I haven't read the last few of the newest books that have been re..."



The idea of The Rising (origin and birth of the Anti Christ) has been explored in books and movies like Rosemary's Baby, The Omen series, and ...to be somewhat humorously satirical.... Family Guy. I mean, please. Baby Stewie. The only difference between him and Nicolae Carpathia is which idea came first. :D ;)

[Joanna (J)]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "What evil doings are you involved in that you don't want a photo id?"



If I told you, I'd have to kill you. ;) NARF!!! But seriously, folks... no evil doings. I think I just assumed that my work photo id would be okay, since it was in the past. But they're really heavy into the making sure, SURE that people are who they say they are. And, over all, with all the scams, I guess that makes sense. But if I've been the same person for six years (according to the contracts I've had with them) why would I suddenly change.

Long story short, I've had to bite the bullet (thankfully without the gun attached) and get the MPI photo id. That should be in within the next week. But when they want me putting id. chips in my hand, that's when I'll just have to go back to stamps and envelopes.

[Joanna (J)]

Glenn wrote: "And JW's are not Christians, and don't, as far as I can ascertain, identify themselves as such. Othodox Christianity does not consider JW's to be Christians. But of course, guilt by association is ..."

Glenn wrote: "And JW's are not Christians, and don't, as far as I can ascertain, identify themselves as such. Othodox Christianity does not consider JW's to be Christians. But of course, guilt by association is ..."

Glenn wrote: "And JW's are not Christians, and don't, as far as I can ascertain, identify themselves as such. Othodox Christianity does not consider JW's to be Christians. But of course, guilt by association is ..."

Glenn wrote: "And JW's are not Christians, and don't, as far as I can ascertain, identify themselves as such. Othodox Christianity does not consider JW's to be Christians. But of course, guilt by association is ..."


Hi Glen.... thing with JW's is that they walk the tightrope. They DO use the word CHRISTIAN but they don't believe in the bedrock views of Biblical Christianity: 1)Deity of Christ. 2) Literal, physical resurrection, 3)Trinity. They say that since the word Trinity is not in the Bible, then the concept isn't Biblical. But the word Theocracy (God ruling) isn't in the Bible either. But I have a book by Ron Rhodes where he quotes JW books and lit confirm who said what, and they DO use the word Christian, when it's convenient. And a lot of Biblically illiterate people DO get suckered in.

[Jamie]

I think that if people are going to use this website as ways to insult people shouldn't be on here. This a place to discuss books weather they are Christian novels, historical fiction, or romance to name a few.

[K.L.]

What I love about these books is that they are very action packed, the characters are easy to like, the genre can and does frequently shift tones from spy thriller to horror to romance...all at the drop of a hat. You get a little bit of everything and even if you don't believe in anything remotely Christian you can still pick up this series of books and read them and love them. I've had Atheist friends read this series and it turned out to be one of their favorites. Did it make them want to become a Christian? No, or at least not that I'm aware of, but they did like it for what it is and that is a very good story.

[Joanna (J)]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "I was born with a blood defect and was completely transfused at birth to save my life. Many years later a young lady, a Jehovah's Witness, told me: "It would've be better if they hadn..."

Hi, I know it seems kinda petty to argue, considering your health issues, but Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT Christians. They call themselves Christians, but do NOT believe that Jesus is God. Their views on the blood issue are entirely UNBiblical, as they take Old Testament DIETARY laws and apply them to medical procedures, which has lead to the tragic deaths of THOUSANDS of people!

Worse, yet, is that, according to the Bible, the 'punishment' for 'eating blood' in the Old Testament, was UTTERLY LENIENT. The offender was left outside the city FOR A DAY, where he had to bathe and wash his or her clothes. At sundown, they were allowed back into the city. Jehovahs' Witness doctrine, on a host of issues has done eternal and emotional, mental damage that most people can't even imagine!

You were quite RIGHT to take whatever lifesaving treatments that were available! And well within your rights as an adult. If you happen to be approached by this J.W. person again, just mention the verse Leviticus 17:15

[Joanna (J)]

Catherine wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "I was born with a blood defect and was completely transfused at birth to save my life. Many years later a young lady, a Jehovah's Witness, told m..."

Xox: You're totally right! And if I ever talk to a JW, I'm going to ask about Leviticus 17:15 and see how they like that. It basically sets the record straight on the issue of what the 'punishment' was for 'eating blood'. Very lenient, and not the life and death crisis JW.'s have made it out to be. PLUS...and this is vitally important to remember.... J.W.'s ascribe MEDICAL situations to a DIETARY issue. AND..... what's more, it only applied to JEWS.

Ask any good Jew, who keeps kosher, (or a Rabbi, for that matter) and he will likely tell you that he WOULD accept a blood transfusion for an operation. And then ask the Rabbi how Lev 17:15 applies to medical issues (as viewed by J.W.'s ) and he will tell you that it does NOT. And a Rabbi should know.

[Mary]

K.L. wrote: "What I love about these books is that they are very action packed, the characters are easy to like, the genre can and does frequently shift tones from spy thriller to horror to romance...all at the..."
The writing is execrable and it is written on a 5th grade level.

[K.L.]

Mary wrote: "K.L. wrote: "What I love about these books is that they are very action packed, the characters are easy to like, the genre can and does frequently shift tones from spy thriller to horror to romance..."

To each their own. I thought it was written well enough to keep me reading it, and in the end, that is all that matters to me. That and even if it were utter trash, I'd still have read the whole thing if only to learn the differences of what makes a badly written book bad and well written book good.

[Glenn]

My comment about my blood defect at birth and my subsequent transfusion was intended to illustrate that no matter your beliefs, no matter how improbable they may sound to others of a different belief, you are entitled to them. I must add that this early incident in no way his affected my health. Those that vilify you because of those beliefs are accusing you of their own character defects. And anyone who use viciously aggressive language to justify their position merely accentuates their personal paranoia. There is absolutely no good reason to be insulting to those with different belief systems. Xox has unfortunately not learned anything from his encounters with the diversity of people generally. And he seems to be immune to enriching himself in this area. Unfortunately closed minds do not open to ideas that differ from what they have locked up in them. And as much as we may sympathize with whatever produced his emotional burden, until he can learn to put that unhappy occurrence behind him, he is going to remain emotionally and intellectualy imprisoned by this tragedy. I can only wish him all the best and hope that time and maturity will guide him to a better place.

[Fabian]

Adam wrote: "I'm an atheist and I've enjoyed these books so far. I've only made it through book 4 and the only complaint I have is that the characters spend far too much time crying and praying. Get on with i..."

exactly! I sometimes even glance through or entirely skip those parts. I was brought up a christian but consider myself an agnostic so maybe that is why i feel this way too.

[L. L.]

@ Geezer...Christians aren't the "nutty one's" take a look in the mirror for that answer.

I also wondered why they have a category called Christian "fiction" when they based these novels off of the book of Revalations which as all CHRISTIANS KNOW is not fiction, but it is The Word Of God.
I guess this is a discussion best suited for those of us who believe in God, so therefore, all non-Christians really have no basis for any arguement they can come up with because why would you argue about something/someone you don't even think exists. The fact that you exist proves that God exists...stick that in your Steven Hawking pipe and smoke it. :P

The only reason Non-CHristian haters attack us is to upset us; then you call us names for fighting back. Hello! we are HUMAN, not super-human...we are all sinners and we have to attempt to live by the example given to us by Jesus. What we are or are not is up to God to judge, certainly not Non-believers. You are only stirring up trouble and being exactly what the Bible calls you, Condemned. The only reason you attack Christians is because you have only heard about your fate and you are scared. I would be too, if I were you. Find Jesus, not other people...HE is your ONLY path to God. That is your only Hope.

[Will]

You all heard it here first, my existence is proof of Allah. That is the god that is proven, right? Or is it one of the other thousands of gods?

[Mary]

Laura wrote: "@ Geezer...Christians aren't the "nutty one's" take a look in the mirror for that answer.

I also wondered why they have a category called Christian "fiction" when they based these novels off of t..."

Oh Good Lord!!! And every pun intended. Is your faith so shallow that you cannot withstand the mildest attempts at scrutiny? I feel like my IQ was in danger after reading this post.

[L. L.]

Could your attitude towards others be any more assinine, Mary? Like I said, don't expect CHRISTIANS to lay down and take your crap!

Get a Bible, read it...comprehend it if you can, and good luck. Personal attacks, indeed!!!

This could go on ALL DAY..you blast me, I blast you...but i bet i get the last laugh in the end!! :)


and call on the GOOD LORD, you need Him!

[Mary]

Laura wrote: "Could your attitude towards others be any more assinine? Like I said, don't expect CHRISTIANS to lay down and take your crap!

Get a Bible, read it...comprehend it if you can, and good luck. Per..."

Why would you assume I have not read the Bible? I have. Multiple times. I also have a number of concordances. I also have an undergraduate degree in history. Such loving words from a purported Christian. These books are extremely poorly written. Why would you not want someone who has read these books to be allowed to comment on them? Theological criticism has been going on for thousands of years. A faith that cannot stand up to scrutiny is a weak faith.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I attack Christians because they insist I stay in my house, don't travel or work, have no money and shut my hole, except for the one babies come from. I couldn't marry in a church because my husband was divorced. The church refused me, turned me away, who was blameless. My credit was cancelled. My name was taken away. I had to be Mrs. Husband for the rest of my life. I couldn't buy a car or house because I couldn't sign contracts, since I didn't have credit, money of my own (the banks put my husband's name on all my accounts without my permission). He could walk in and access my accounts, but I couldn't access his. Everywhere I went, people asked me if it was ok with my husband they'd be happy to help me. My job promotion went south because everyone TOLD me you'll be making babies now. I couldn't go to college even though I was actually accepted by one because I was told by my father no one would want me if I had a college education. If my husband had been a wifebeater,I'd have had nowhere to go and no help at all.I can't have kids, and religious women turned away from me as tainted.

All because the USA was a Christian faith country. I hate, despise religion and I want all religion to die. When my dad died without a will, I used his money to go to college. I marched for liberal organizations and for civil rights. I voted for liberal policies. Now I have name, credit, and can travel, have a career, sign my contracts, keep my money.

Why do I attack religion? It attacked me first.

[Mary]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "
Why do I attack religion? It attacked me first. .."

Amen!

[L. L.]

LOL!! you all need help. :) that comment can be turned around on YOU, I attack non-religious People because they ATTACK ME! and I WILL FIGHT BACK!

Have a nice day!!! :) does that make you feel better? LOL

[Mary]

Laura wrote: Have a nice day!!! :) does that make you feel better?..."

Sarcasm rarely makes anyone feel better.

[Will]

I think most non-believers embrace defending their position, so Christians can attack away at my views. I have logic on my side, and in the end, the religious person must accept that it is faith that leads them to believe, not logic or evidence.

[Mary]

Will wrote: "I think most non-believers embrace defending their position, so Christians can attack away at my views. I have logic on my side, and in the end, the religious person must accept that it is faith th..."

What I find disconcerting is the level of vitriol.

[L. L.]

Mary, I find it funny that you think you are a Christian "know-it-all" when you only have two "religious" books in your repertoire and not ONE of the 6000+ books you supposedly read is the Bible. Yeah, that makes you a religious scholar powerhouse, doesn't it?

Also, if it makes you feel better to attack total strangers with your glib opinion of God and all things Christian, then happy head-hunting. Your opinion(s) of me mean nothing to me. Talk to a wall, you would get better results.

Meow...go scratch in a sandbox, will ya?

Will, take another pill, babe...I think the voices in your head are taking over.

Thanks for all the laughs!

[Will]

Thanks, I almost forgot to take my asthma medication!

[Will]

Mary wrote: "What I find disconcerting is the level of vitriol."

Agreed.

[Mary]

Laura wrote: "Mary, I find it funny that you think you are a Christian "know-it-all" when you only have two "religious" books in your repitoire and not ONE of them is the Bible. Yeah, that makes you a religious ..."

Only 2 religious books in my entire repertoire? Where did you possibly come up with that figure? Did you just look at the books I tagged and none of the others? Perhaps you need to look a little closer at my reading history. I have read the King James version, the New Revised Standard, Good News for Modern Men. I have read numerous translations of the Apocrypha. I have read inspirational fiction, etc.

What a caustic person you are.

[Mary]

I will thank Laura for getting me to update and tag some of the books I have read.

[L. L.]

I love to rile up the Godless. Fun, Fun, Fun!

I got that figure on your page. did you quickly add/subtract more, since then? talk about caustic. You would certainly know. You say you read the Bible...but did you study it? comprehend it? doesn't seem like it.

I am what I am, but does that give you the right to attack me?

[Mary]

Laura: I was raised in the Baptist Church. I went to Sunday School, Church services, Choir, Vacation Bible School, etc. I imagine I have many more years of study and education on the Bible than you do. How am I attacking you? I do not care what you believe. I do however, take exception to someone who would censor opinions on books they have read because you don't personally like their opinion.

Actually, I am going through the thousands of books I have read and adding some tags. Perhaps you will look later to get an understanding of the breadth of my reading knowledge when it comes to religion.

[Dave]

Laura wrote: "I also wondered why they have a category called Christian "fiction" when they based these novels off of t..."

SERIOUSLY? Laura, are you really that literary inept that you do not understand what 'fiction' is? You are not doing your fellow faithful any favors by acting so completely CLUELESS. It is FICTION not because it is based on the book of Revelation but rather it is a story consisting of made-up characters who are not real people. Geeezzzzzuuuussssss H.

[L. L.]

Mary, I don't know what you are talking about. I am not the one attacking you. Mary, Mary, quite contrary.

I also don't care how much you think you know about anything. It just simply doesn't matter to me. And if you are so "literate" why aren't you also respectful? And you are caustic towards me, then attack me for being caustic towards you! you must be a liberal. They like to attack others then cry foul when they get it back in their faces. You like to think you are better than others, don't you? I have a couple of degrees that will trump your thousand book "knowledge" base; and might I also point out that the majority of your books are FICTION. Lawd have mercy...how much did you learn from reading all of that FICTION? LOL

Dave. again, with the attacks? what is up with you people? do you want others to hate you? be disgusted by you and your snarky "I am better than you" attitude? These books are based on The Bible. is that Fiction to you? if so, I feel sorry for you, Dave.
Get a clue, egghead.

[Mary]

Laura wrote: "Mary, I don't know what you are talking about. I am not the one attacking you.

I also don't care how much you think you know about anything. It just simply doesn't matter to me. And if you are so..."

Here are a few of your "respectful quotes" that you have posted today:
*The fact that you exist proves that God exists...stick that in your Steven Hawking pipe and smoke it. :P
*Get a Bible, read it...comprehend it if you can, and good luck.
*Meow...go scratch in a sandbox, will ya?
*Will, take another pill, babe...I think the voices in your head are taking over.
*I love to rile up the Godless. Fun, Fun, Fun!

I am not better than you Laura, but I am obviously more educated than you. If you truly do not understand what fiction is, then I feel sorry for you. These books are fiction. Just as other books that are based off of historical accounts but include fictional characters are fiction. And just because something is deemed historical, does not make it correct. History changes all of the time as new information comes to light. The accounts in Revelation is not historical. It is prophecy that may or may not come to fruition.

Stating that someone has to right to comment negatively on a book they have read it not an attack. When you make comments such as "go read the bible, IF you can comprehend it," do you not understand just how disrespectful that is? You made some type of snap judgment that has absolutely no connection to the reality of my life.

[Mary]

Xox wrote: "Fuck Jesus if he ever lived, for inventing such a horrible religion. ."

Now Laura, THIS is a post that is attacking your beliefs. The others were not. Learn the difference please.

[Mary]

Xox wrote: "I don't call it an attack at all. I fucking dislike bullshit like Christianity. It is like someone who say they don't like Spiderman(impossible to think for Spiderman fans, possible for others who don't like Spiderman).
.."

Sorry, you and I have had this discussion before. There is a difference between saying you dislike Spiderman and "Fuck Spiderman and Spiderman's creepy followers." Calling someone creepy is an attack. Using pejorative words is an attack. You will win no allies with that attitude.

[Mary]

Xox wrote: "Mary wrote: "Xox wrote: "I don't call it an attack at all. I fucking dislike bullshit like Christianity. It is like someone who say they don't like Spiderman(impossible to think for Spiderman fans,..."

You are entitled to your opinion and I agree that religion in government is a bad thing, however...you are still attacking. Attack away, but realize that you are still attacking.

[Giansar]

Laura wrote: "I love to rile up the Godless. Fun, Fun, Fun!"
Yeah, you can see they're all at the ends of their lines...

Laura wrote: "The fact that you exist proves that God exists...stick that in your Steven Hawking pipe and smoke it. :P"
As you brought S. Hawking to the discussion I expect you have some logical argument to prop up the daring statement above? You know, a chain of causality or whatever...

As a side note: I must commend you for the Christian love of the brethren that pours out of each of your sentences.

[Bruce]

Atheists proselytize with more devoutness than most Christians. Xox and others are entitled to express their opinions but to do so with so much hate is disturbing. Replace "Christian" with "muslim", sexual orientation, race, or gender and it would be considered hate speech. I don't even understand why they would come into a discussion about a Christian novel, that they have no interest in, and rather than discuss the book, they trash others' belief system. Isn't tolerance a reciprocal concept?

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

No person of faith possesses an ounce of tolerance. Where do you THINK the hate comes from? I've been threatened and denounced! I've been shunned! I've been turned down for jobs!

Why do atheists read Christian books? I do to protect myself. If some ignorant religious nutter is after me, I need to know why! If someone is telling me I'm possessed by Satan, I need to understand what that is. If I'm being dragged to church, I need to know why! If I'm being told I must be married, be pregnant, quit work, cook, clean and shut up because I'm being immodest and don't know my role that god wants for me because god is love (sounds like hate to me) I want to know why! If I'm being beaten, starved, whipped (as a child) because my parents are doing a loving duty to me because of god's love, I sure as hell want to know why!

All my life religious people damaged and frightened me in the name of this loving god, and all of my life people used and hurt me for the glory of god.

I need to know my enemy. I need to understand why some people think this evil evil evil being called god is so loving. To me, he is Satan.

Through study, I discovered both god and satan are fictional. Whew! What a relief! I'm safe!

It's religious people who are dangerous! Why do they go around damaging and killing their children and destroying the lives of everyone else by trying to change society to their religion's rules? That's why this atheist reads their books!

As a woman, I have no value under Christianity in society. That's not fiction. That's reality. I suffered horribly as a Christian child in Christian America. Until I grew up and America changed its laws giving women the same rights as men, I was a slave condemned to stay in the house, under the thumb of whatever man had money and kept me, unable to work for a living or have my own money or buy a car or buy a house or go to college. I was ordered to make children by society and ordered to do the cooking and cleaning, while the men sat around and talked, or left the house to earn money, twice the amount of salary as anything I could earn for the same work. It meant I couldn't earn enough to support myself, but had to be under the command of a man.

It seems to me, the only reason for religion is to force women to love their slavery. I cannot understand if I live to be a thousand why any woman would be religious. All religions are fiction. All religions today enslave women. Men are free, except for a few enforced rules under religions, but women are no different than slaves. It's obvious religion is a tool of power like the gun and whip and waterboarding.

Fortunately, for the last four decades, America has actually began to live up to its Constitution and actually be a democracy for ALL, not just white men.

[Glenn]

Laura and Xox. Did either of you ever learn to debate a subject? You will NEVER convert anyone to your views by belittling them. And I don't mean that Laura won't convert atheists. I mean she won't convert Christians! And Xox...well, we've already established that he has alienated many atheists. Name calling is surely the last resort of the bigot: If I can't convince someone that they are wrong and I am right, then I am going to call them ugly names and maybe use four letter words. That will show them how intelligent and reasonable I am. The only true sin when it comes to disparate beliefs is polarization. Learn to live together, or be angry for the rest of your life.

[Mary]

Glenn wrote: "Laura and Xox. Did either of you ever learn to debate a subject? You will NEVER convert anyone to your views by belittling them. And I don't mean that Laura won't convert atheists. I mean she won't..."

Bruce: I have never once had an atheist come to my door uninvited and try to sway me to their side. I cannot even count the number of times members of some church have come to my door, cornered me while out shopping, interrupted my husband and I working in our yard, etc. My mother tells a story of early in her and my father's marriage when she had 2 small children and was 8 months pregnant with the third. Two ladies from some church came to the door while she was cooking dinner. She told them we already had a home church, but they would not leave her alone. While they were talking, the dinner caught on fire and Mama ran into the kitchen with one child on her hip and another clinging to her leg. While she tried to put out the fire with flour and eventually had to take the frying pan and throw it in the backyard, they continued to proselytize and never once offered to help. I stopped going to church right after Bill Clinton's second election. I got tired of hearing the "godly" members of my Sunday School class talking about stoning gays in the city square and using the "n" word with abandon. Then I learned my youngest child (who was about 5 at the time) was being terrified by threats of hell. That was the last straw. I tried a couple of other churches (leaving my children with family members), but there was no difference. I finally bought a bible study curriculum for my children and homechurched them. And btw...I am not an atheist. I consider myself a spiritual person with no religious affiliation.

Glenn: I respect people who actually live their faith rather than just talking about it and trying to shove it down someone else's throat. My 84 year old mother is one such person. She belongs to the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi which dedicates its works to helping others. She gives of her time and money to help those in need (and she does not have a lot of money to give). She votes for measures that help the least of us. I know many Christians who are genuinely good people who walk the walk. I have seen little evidence of that on this board.

[Glenn]

Mary wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Laura and Xox. Did either of you ever learn to debate a subject? You will NEVER convert anyone to your views by belittling them. And I don't mean that Laura won't convert atheists. I ..."

Mary, you and I have discussed this all before and I think we found much common ground. I thought that I had left this discussion, but with Xox's resurection and the advent of Laura (let me have my a little fun with my puns!) I was tempted to return. In the old days an argument was about discussing differences; now it seems to have descended to mudslinging. Not very flattering to the participants, is it? No matter what our opinions might be, I find it stimulating and informative to hear the other person's views. We all LEARN something from listening. We learn NOTHING from shouting down the other person's opinions. The rule of argument is to listen intently, digest and think about what the other participant has said, then comment intelligently, with one's own interpretation of the facts. What has happened to respect and tolerance? The reason that these attributes have disappeared is because these discussions remain anonymous, making it easy for the rude and obnoxious to be nasty without requiring the courage and integrity to stand face to face with the person that they choose to disparage. Thank goodness for people like you and your mother.

[Mary]

Glenn wrote: "Mary, you and I have discussed this all before and I think we found much common ground. I thought that I had left this discussion, but with Xox's resurection and the advent of Laura (let me have my a little fun with my puns!) I was tempted to return. In the old days an argument was about discussing differences; now it seems to have descended to mudslinging. Not very flattering to the participants, is it? ..."

No it is not very flattering. In terms of this book that started the thread, my objections were never to the theology. They were to the execrable writing. It is written on a 5th grade level. Compare it to other books for fifth graders such as "The Cay," "Island of the Blue Dolphins," "The Secret Garden," "Number the Stars," or "A Wrinkle in Time." There is no comparison. It is AWFUL compared to those books.