Just so there's no misunderstanding, I'm guilty of being abrasive too. But it's got to stop somewhere and the first step is acknowledging the problem. Gettin' awful tired of it doesn't hurt either.
Rog, while we're at it I'll apologize to you for our past; I still think I'm right in my questions and assertions but I handled it the wrong way.
I've always had a strong spiritual connection, insanely so if you ask me. I accepted Christ when I was 5 at a Billy Graham crusade. Sure, I spent some time between then and now investigating alternate beliefs, but there was never a time when the word of God didn't describe the spiritual world I was seeing better than anything else. That's why I am so assured of it; I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or three.
Which segues back to the op courtesy of Mr Notuptome:
Mt 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. We (try) to speak the word of God here. But satan quotes scripture too. So when we speak scripture here is it really God's voice in us doing the speaking? Or when we tell each other to
piss off in Jesus' Name could it really be satan moving our 'lips'? satan doesn't have to get us to mis-interpret scripture, he just has to get us to beat each other over the head with it. How something is said is every bit as important as what is said. And in how we speak here, I say mission accomplished oh evil one. You got us.
So here's what I'm going to do... absent any real progress in a discussion, I'm going to limit myself to 3 or 4 exchanges and then wish my friend a good day and step away. Make it more important to
present an idea to people,
instead of trying to convince them of it. It's not my job to convince people of the truth. 99% sure at this point that it's not going to happen anyway
Anyone else want to take that pledge?