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Have you ever sat down and tried to talk to a person who was trying to prove to you that God is a lie? I have a few times and they all try the same tactic... Blitzkrieg.

I sat down with one of my bro's friends the other day because he wanted to ask me questions about my faith... I found out during his conversation that he had convinced Jake (my bro) that there wasen't a God and his life was a worthless chance that might just end at any time.

He started off asking about my faith and simple reasons. He then began to give counters to my reasons and shot down everything he found to be without logic. He continued this simple approach for a short while.

After about 5min he became frustrated at how "such a open person" could stick to a faith so steadily. I simply said that it is how I was raised and I had all the proof I needed. He quickly began to ask me questions about everyday life and how I explained them in my faith... and then he moved on to thing such ar murder and rape saying God lets these things happen and even instigates them.

I listened and replied to the best of my ability until he began to try and insult me... he wanted me to lose my cool and step down to his level, proving his point. He went into my room and came back with a few of my weapons and asked me if these were "of God" to which I replied the use is up to the user not the creater.

He then began to talk about my training and marksmanship asking if my urban combat training was of God... I told his that any man should want to protect his family and frineds if needed, and that in the Bible there was a season when kings went to war mentioned in the old testament. This lead into a conversation about killing and God's will. Whitch ended in a stalemate.

He ended his side of the arguent with a shot at my life (as in a quick cutting comment and a gerneral I hope you die) and the comment, "I hope you rot in hell," to which I laughed and replied, "If I do I'll see you there..."

Later added: I recently found out that the young man believes in Shamanism.... or something like that.

3nodding I know the feeling, Paladin. Lithanus is right, you know.

We need a witness protection program from us! Didn't do it, Didn't see it, but I believe it.

Man I hate it when athiests blitzkrieg me. I can handle it online of course, but in person...my head is slow! burning_eyes
God has given me a wonderful way to evangelize. I took an evangelism course titled "The Way of the Master." It may sound like hellfire preaching at first glance, but it's definately not. I believe it is evangelism at it's finest. There is a link for the webpage in my signature if anyone wants to check it out.

Just a little "Way of the Master" logic:
If you walk up to someone and give them medicine, pleading with them to take it, they'll get angry at you. They think you're crazy, giving them medicine for no apparent reason. However, if you reason with them, showing them ten clear signs that they're in need of this medicine : purple spots, fingers falling off, hair falling out,... and without it they will die, when you show them the medicine, they'll be glad to take it. All of the sudden, the medicine is good news.

Alternately, here is another analogy. There is a man sitting on a plane. The flight attendant hands him a parachute, telling him that it will improve his flight. So he puts it on. Five minutes later he notices how uncomfortable the parachute is making him. Everyone around him is laughing at him. And so he rips off the parachute and throws it to the ground. He is angry at the parachute and angry at the one that gave it to him.
In another situation;
The flight attendant hands him the parachute and tells him that the plane is going down mid-flight and without it he'll surely die. He takes the parachute. Five minutes later, he notices how uncomfortable he is and how he is being ridiculed, but this just causes him to hold on to his parachute tighter. He looks ahead, past things that wax old and perish.

when i was in highschool my athiestic and agnostic friends (I think I only had like one christian friend) used to debate me a lot and they were always trying my faith. well I was raised in the church and my parents are pastors, my dad loves a good debate... so I was ready with tons of comebacks at everything they thru at me (I fear I may still be like that a little). my best friend(wiccan) eventually noticed and started telling everyone not to start debates with me, she said everytime they did my faith and arguements grew stronger. I found that to be true as I love to study and check my arguements after I have them, allowing me to gather new information.

but in leaving highschool I've turned from debate with the realization that ppl will listen to their hearts, its not about logic or reason (for all faiths). I've cornered many an athiest and shot down their every stand only for them to say in the end, well I dont wanna believe in God. so yeh I look at debate differently now.