hoping that we will find authentic Christianity

Well it has been 2000 years Christelle…we must be on the verge of a breakthrough!!

I think the reason your blog is popular is that you have never put on a mask- you are who you are- so often non-Christians are more free than Christians-

I am of a VERY CONSERVATIVE denomination, hoping for change- hoping that we will find authentic Christianity and that people will be able to take off their masks… AS of now- alchohol drinkers stay undercover as well as dance lovers and every other happenstance that could send us all to hell- or cause us to lose our jobs…

I'll keep visiting and sending people your way!

I enjoy vigorous discussion, but I sincerely regret conflict.

Sorry for all the misunderstandings.

I discounted what I could discern of your criticism for exactly the reason I told you I did: you're not anywhere near familiar enough with my writing to render legitimate your snarky assertion that I "tar the whole Christian world" with my big, broad brush. And your assertion that I stayed in my church just so I could remain in the "vicious cycle" of collecting stories about "evil Christians" is just absurd.

I already regret this time I've spent with you. I'm sincerely asking you not to make me regret it more—which I surely will if I have to take the time to permanently block you. You don't have to get off this site, but you do have to get off my back.

Mormon: Thank you, as ever. Very kind. And of course you're always welcome here.

Rick: Thanks!

Christelle: What denomination are you in?

Brian: Funny! But you still owe me.

I actually said that after you wrestled with the issue, you "yet again" came to the same conclusion you had before. (Sort of the "Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken" idea. That "yet again" phrase was separate in the sentence from the word "proud."

You're an open, tolerant guy in so many ways; why is it necessary to discount a comment as "snarky" when someone disagrees, rather than deal with the substance of the issue that is being raised? I guess I don't understand that; labels shut down discussion, rather than encourage it.

And it's true; I have not yet read every blog posting of yours, but will continue to read more to get a better, more fair understanding.

Your post (actually your entire blog) had me cogitate on why I come back here regularly and no other Christian websites. The reason I do come back here is because I respect you and know that you are not a blind follower. This is represented by your challenging your 'teacher' on the 'Problem of Evil'. You don't want to 'Know' (in the biblical sense); you want to actually know (in the actual, genuine understanding sense). What I see in you is someone that wants to put a framework to what might have been a tumultuous life … as does everyone else in the world. You adopted Christianity which, ostensibly, worked for you. [as an aside, this means that it is 'effective', not necessarily 'true'] You are troubled, though, with the things and people that you know to be wrong and unjust. You know, for example, that demonizing a homosexual even though they cause no harm is just wrong. You are inquisitive enough and pragmatic enough to disregard some of your adopted Christian framework when you see it in conflict with common sense or evidence (some times any way, an earthquake comes to mind). So here's to you!

Regarding the 'Problem of Evil' and such matters….

As a general rule of thumb I operate on the premise that the simplest explanation is probably the correct explanation. Back in the day when people thought the universe orbited the earth, they had to come up with convoluted philosophies and explanations why some 'stars' wiggled in the sky and why the stars moved the way they did. It was incredibly difficult to make the explanations fit their beliefs. Geniuses like Copernicus and Newton (I mean real serious geniuses) figure out the achingly simple and elegant explanation that corresponded with reality…we and the other [now known to be] planets orbit the sun.

The same is true with the 'Problem of Evil'. I am fascinated by the mental convolutions and gymnastics necessary to 'explain' why there is a hell and why there is evil in the world. To my mind, it merely demonstrates that there is no god… or at least people's understanding of God is so plainly and grossly flawed as to make their belief system casually dismissable. Your Sunday School teacher could only offer you 'Knowledge' when you were seeking 'knowledge'. For that you need actual school, not 'Sunday' school.