I'm not talking about theism or atheism, I'm talking about faith. Theism or atheism as an umbrella term is really irrelevant to what I'm talking about. One can say I believe there is a god, but that is irrelevant. There is only one true God to believe in, and that will be life changing. All other "gods" are just diversions from the one true God, by the work of Satan. Being a general theist isn't going to change anything that is relevant to the true God, and by that I mean one's sinful nature.

You dont get it, so was he!

Pervert the New Testament with the Gospel of Thomas?

My head feels a little bit like spaghetti right now because of a conversation I was having with someone at the library when I was out, and because of some things that happened on the way back, so can you please explain to me how I am perverting anything? I would appreciate it.

I was talking to two Muslims at the library today and they seemed very loving. I'm going to go back the next time they are there and maybe visit their Mosque to learn more about what they believe.

It's possible, but as far as I can tell there are only two types of love. Genuine love and love that is forced out of fear or insecurity.

They also show more hate than non-Christians.

I can't believe some of you are suggesting that Christians love others more than non-Christians. You couldn't possibly know that. You can't look into someone's mind and measure love. You guys are being ridiculous.

You can measure someone's love based on their actions and responses to you.

Not necessarily

Go on...

Something like this. Which is why your argument fails.

So by their responses to you, you can measure how much they love their child or their spouse? And then you can compare that measured amount of love to Christian's love for their child or spouse?

If you spend enough time talking to someone you can get a general idea of how they would treat other people in their life.

And what units do you measure their love in? Grams? Ounces?

Patience, understanding, and the way they react to distractions that are capable of disrupting a person's disposition.

I was on the edge of becoming a Christian until recently. This thread has helped a great deal in convincing me that I shouldn't. If your world view is what it means to be Christian, then I want no part of it. I think what you believe is disgusting. You aren't full of love, you're full of judgement and you are judging things you couldn't possibly know.

I tried to have an open mind towards Christianity but the Christians of this board have slammed that door shut.

My advice to you is to keep most of your opinions private if you want to convert people. You're going to have to try to fool them into thinking Christianity is something it's not to be successful IMO.

true love is unconditional love. immeasurable. all other love is conditional.

Hey, sorry to hear that.

Good luck in life.

If it's immeasurable then why are you guys measuring it? If it can't be measured then you can't say one person has more love than someone else. You have to be able to measure something if you are going to compare it to something else.

I was just responding to your statment. I don't know what led you to say that or the root of your discussion with royce or his stance exactly.

His stance is that Christians have more love in them than non-Christians. I think that is ridiculous and that you are right that love is immeasurable. And that being the case it is impossible to say one person has more love in them or can love another more than someone else.

"Atheism in particular is about hate. Hate for theists hate for people who don't agree with what they believe. Christians on the other hand love even those who disagree. They may not agree with atheists but they do respect them and treat them with love. Atheists however don't. It's not in the atheist code of conduct."

Ah yes, as history has shown, Christians never hate, lie, steal from, imprison, torture, and murder those that disagree. Debate over.

"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." - Matthew 5:39, New International Version

The people who do those things are not Christians. Jesus speaks on them specifically and does so in great detail.

Just to help things along....

God is love. (1 Jo 4:8)

Christians have God, therefore they can love.
Non-Christians do not have God, therefore they cannot love.

...that, I think is fair to say, is the crux of the religious argument.

You know, I'm bipolar so I know a thing or two about manic thinking. I'm seeing a lot of familiar things in this thread.

"I say to you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. As for my enemies who do not want me to reign over them, bring them here and kill them in my presence" (Luke 19:26-27).

"Do not think that I have come to send peace on Earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. I am sent to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" (Matthew 10:34-35).

Your turn.