I think I'll bow out of this thread, and possibly ChristianChat altogether. It's clear that most here hold that Calvinism isn't a viable Christian option, but is, as it was said in a previous post by a respected member here, akin to Mormonism and the likes. It's clear that the exchange isn't on level ground, and efforts spent here could be spent more profitably somewhere else.
I'm not sure if this thread, which is the first one I visited and responded to, because I enjoyed the original post so much, is representative of the CC community as a whole. Perhaps someone can direct me to a Calvinist thread, if it's not? I'll stick around long enough for a reply.
I wish you all the best - and I hope that the energy put into sharing the gospel with the lost is equal to the energy spent in the arguments on display here. There's a lost and dying world that needs the message of the cross, the gospel. And yes, I say that as a 5 point calvinist. (Just as there are different types of baptists, I'd encourage you to consider that there are different types of Calvinists, before writing us all off as herectics.)
The world needs an online Christian community where they can receive the gospel, where believers can come for encouragement, edification, instruction, and friendships. I'm just not sure - based on this thread - that CC is that place. I hope it is... I hope I'm wrong.