Author Topic: Atheists Encounter with God (Read 3636 times)

Ambassador Pony · « **Reply #29 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:36:51 AM »

Expectation detetermines perception.

Given his description as a person who values the suspension of critical thought, and actively seeks delusion, I can't see how this individual could not have adopted some sort of superstitious type behaviour. Of course, he is western person, so the superstition took the shape consistent with cultural learning.

Karl · « **Reply #30 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:48:59 AM »

Correct me if I'm wrong. He threw in the story that could be a quick cut and paste job and has never been seen in this forum since then. He got us busy and probably he doesn't give a shit. I don't know, it seems to happen more often. Or maybe I missed a reply but I think not.
I suspected something alike with BS but he at least is present whilst that doesn't make a big difference either.

Agamemnon · « **Reply #31 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:03:08 AM »

^^^ That is what I suspect. I'm about ready to trash this whole topic because I don't believe this is JWBlake's personal testimony and I'm not going to let the testimonials section become a troll's paradise.

Zankuu · « **Reply #32 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:10:29 AM »

Quote from: Agamemnon on February 21, 2011, 10:03:08 AM

^^^ That is what I suspect. I'm about ready to trash this whole topic because I don't believe this is JWBlake's personal testimony and I'm not going to let the testimonials section become a troll's paradise.

I'm surprised anyone would actually think that JWBlake is Mathias Colwell. *shrug*

Asmoday · « **Reply #33 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:28:57 AM »

I'm not so sure about that. I googled the name that is mentioned in the OP and the links and the story look a bit too obscure to just stumble over it without knowing what to search for. It would be helpful if JW would participate and say something about this.

But apart from that I think some good arguments have been made here so that this might serve as an example for testimonial stories like this.

Graybeard · « **Reply #34 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:31:17 AM »

He must be real, he’s on the interwebs: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5728416/one_encounter_with_god_will_shape_the.html?cat=34

http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/879304/mathias_colwell.html

and if you want to contribute to his being a missionary – here’s where you start:
https://www.ibssm.org/?action=donate&target=missions&student_id=211466

plethora · « **Reply #35 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:38:36 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on February 21, 2011, 10:31:17 AM

http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/879304/mathias_colwell.html
Quote
I am a born again christian who loves God. I also love to travel, and read (especially fantasy), and write, and I love playing and watching sports.
[bold mine]

By fantasy books surely he means the bible....

Agamemnon · « **Reply #36 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:20:20 AM »

Quote from: Asmoday on February 21, 2011, 10:28:57 AM

I'm not so sure about that. I googled the name that is mentioned in the OP and the links and the story look a bit too obscure to just stumble over it without knowing what to search for. It would be helpful if JW would participate and say something about this.

It could be that they are friends, relatives or maybe JW just stumbled across that testimony somewhere and saved it for a special occasion.

Lots and lots of questions for JW to answer if and when he decides to return.

Zankuu · « **Reply #37 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:51:20 AM »

Quote from: Asmoday on February 21, 2011, 10:28:57 AM

I'm not so sure about that. I googled the name that is mentioned in the OP and the links and the story look a bit too obscure to just stumble over it without knowing what to search for. It would be helpful if JW would participate and say something about this.

But apart from that I think some good arguments have been made here so that this might serve as an example for testimonial stories like this.

Asmoday, if you aren't familiar with JWBake1982's posting history, here is the main reason why I come to the conclusion that he is not Mathias Colwell: In this thread JW says...

"[...]my first experience when I was 15 I had utterly no idea that I was going to get anything in return from deciding to give up my life and follow Jesus."

This conflicts with the Mathias story of being an staunch atheist / debating and ridiculing Christians until he had a spiritual experience in a bedroom at 19. Clearly not the same guy.

Edit: fixed info

Agamemnon · « **Reply #38 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:00:30 PM »

Good catch, Zankuu. Thanks for pointing that out.

In the Testimonials FAQ it says:

Quote from: Operator_011 on September 09, 2010, 03:41:40 PM

This section is for members to post details of the personal experiences that led them to or away from a theistic belief.

Since the MC testimonial was not an experience that JW had we can conclude that this testimonial is not in-keeping with the intent of this discussion area.

I am open to suggestions as to how this should be dealt with.

Karl · « **Reply #39 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:01:26 PM »

Quote from: Zankuu on February 21, 2011, 11:51:20 AM

Asmoday, if you aren't familiar with JWBake1982's posting history, here is the main reason why I come to the conclusion that he is not Mathias Colwell: In this thread JW says...

"[...]my first experience when I was 15 I had utterly no idea that I was going to get anything in return from deciding to give up my life and follow Jesus."

This conflicts with the Mathias story of being an staunch atheist / debating and ridiculing Christians until he had a spiritual experience in a bedroom at 19. Clearly not the same guy.

Edit: fixed info

I guess he's not Mathias but probably he made up the other story too.

Karl · « **Reply #40 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:05:03 PM »

Quote from: Agamemnon on February 21, 2011, 12:00:30 PM

Good catch, Zankuu. Thanks for pointing that out.

In the Testimonials FAQ it says:

Quote from: Operator_011 on September 09, 2010, 03:41:40 PM
This section is for members to post details of the personal experiences that led them to or away from a theistic belief.

Since the MC testimonial was not an experience that JW had we can conclude that this testimonial is not in-keeping with the intent of this discussion area.

I am open to suggestions as to how this should be dealt with.

I suggest to take Asmodays approach:

Quote from: Asmoday on February 21, 2011, 10:28:57 AM

But apart from that I think some good arguments have been made here so that this might serve as an example for testimonial stories like this.

Close the book and that's it.

Danielos · « **Reply #41 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:17:27 PM »

PM him and ask him to return to the thread and explain himself!

Aaron123 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:28:19 PM »

Quote

Despite all of God's goodness and amazing love, this does not mean that life with God is a life without trial, not at all. I have found many things difficult in life since becoming a Christian. For example, many people with whom I used to be close and intimate, I no longer share a deep emotional bond. Friends in my life have floated in and floated out like leaves on the wind, as not all of them share my passion for God.

It's always sad to hear someone discard real and true friends for an imaginary being. I'd say more, but I don't know how to articulate my thoughts on something as warped as this

Quote

God moves differently with each person, and my goal in life now is to get to know God better, to develop an even greater intimacy with God, because once you have tasted God's love, nothing else can satisfy like His presence does.

Bwahahahahahaha! I know what he's trying to say, but that just sounds so wrong!

Nam · « **Reply #43 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:37:41 PM »

[To the OP]

I've read so many of these "stories" that they all seem to be the exact same story. I can write one myself, and Christians would believe it to be true even if I told them I made it up. They'd say, "You can't make up something that pure." or some shit. I've heard it before; this is no different.

-Nam

plethora · « **Reply #44 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:47:44 PM »

I suggest locking the thread for posterity and sending JW a firm warning.

blue · « **Reply #45 on:** February 21, 2011, 03:32:57 PM »

Before locking, perhaps give the OP a week or so to respond?

Agamemnon · « **Reply #46 on:** February 21, 2011, 04:06:07 PM »

Locking the thread is not permanent. It can be unlocked if the OP or another member contacts staff with a decent case for unlocking it.

Larissa238 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:27:02 AM »

Can I make a comment?

I had a similar experience when I converted to the cult. I used the PUSH thing- Pray Until Something Happens. I prayed hard for a long time, and then I felt a great comfort, all that wishy-wahsy stuff. Years later I started hallucinating.. and it's the same feeling sometimes. I now have figured out that when you pray hard or whatever, it sets you up for a self-induced hallucination. This is why people under stress praying hard experience things- their mind tricks them into feeling what they want to feel. IMO, simple as that.

Of course, in this person's case, the alcohol withdrawal probably added to it as well, making it even easier to hallucinate.

Agamemnon · « **Reply #48 on:** February 22, 2011, 12:44:43 PM »

I just noticed that this thread was moved from GRD. It is still inappropriate here, so I'm locking it. Send a PM if you need it re-opened and we will consider it.

News:

Author Topic: Atheists Encounter with God (Read 3636 times)