Atheist arguments, viewed differently

On another note, the more I debate all this, the more confused I get. Just when I think I know something, I find out I don't. I've never been much good at making an argument for/against things I believe in, and despite my ability to write coherently, my points don't always come across as I intend them to, and it's far worse when I speak.

After thinking about it, I'm open to the possibility that I AM trying to twist Scripture, however unintentionally. But that leaves me worse off than I started. I've gone my whole life so far unconcerned about really knowing the Bible, and have lived with child-like faith...suddenly a few months back I started wanting to fully understand the words from the Bible that I was taught as a child.

I do agree that I have a pre-conceived idea of what things mean, and having been taught the same things my whole life, how could I not? Now the thing is for me to find whether those ideas stand up to Truth or not.

That part sucks.

Good for you! And, if you end up with the same belief you had coming in, that's okay, because you'll be further rooted in it. The interpretations you embrace won't just be "what I've always been told," but they'll be what YOU know.

And if you end up with something totally different, that's okay, too. God loves you, no matter what interpretations you accept.

Growing up does suck sometimes. Having others make all our decisions for us, telling us what to believe, is easy. Figuring it out yourself can be hard.

I pray that your confusion will soon give way to understanding, and that God will continue to embrace you in his loving arms.

Thanks, and what you've been saying has been helpful in that it challenges me to really examine what it is I believe. The fact that your arguments are very difficult to refute is even better. Someone else could say the same things you have, just in their own words, and come across as ridiculous and ignorant and I'd be able to ignore what they said easily...not so when it comes from someone who makes sense.

Thank you.

I really respect you, and your willingness to consider things that go against your faith. That shows real intelligence and a very strong faith.

As I said, you may end up embracing the same faith you've had all along, but it will be all that stronger for the testing. And if you do end up re-thinking your faith, I am confident it will still be pure faith in our Almighty Lord, who loves you more than anyone can imagine.

May God continue to bless you.

Thank you, that means a lot to me