Think of it in these terms. Could someone possibly convince you that Mormonism is the true path by quoting from the Book of Mormon? Would their arguments carry any weight with you at all?
I would think that I would be open minded enough to know that they have a logic for their reasoning. I am not trying to convince you or anyone else with a closed mind to see anything. I am but refuting the rudeness from an individual who sees fit to mock those who disagree with them from a position of superiority that there is some uncanniness to the revelations of John. You and anyone else may do with it as they see fit.
I certainly do not believe that I would have such poor manners as to tell someone to be quiet on a thread unless they can address me in regards to their religion based on my frame of reference. With your analogy of Mormonism how exactly could you explain the philosophy without using what in the Book of Mormon convinces you it is divine revelation??
BTW for the record Mormons are Christian, and I have done minor research on their beliefs but chose to stick to the NASB Bible. It is the most literal translation of the old text. I am not dismissive of others choices, this is mine and the one I will answer for chosing in the end. Just like everyone is entitled to chose their religion. Religion provides the framework for one's interaction to the world.
Furthermore, I personnally did not stop there but did provide a link to a website that shows some archaelogical history that
may indicate the validity of one facet of the Bible. Now if I was a glutton for punishment I could continue to try to validate my position with reams of work done which indicates the truthfulness of the Bible while you could do the same from your side dismissing them because facts of this nature are subject to perception which is always colored by one's spirirtual beliefs.
When someone can give me an absolute legitimate argument on how an old man on a deserted island 2000 years ago could conceive of something that comes as close as we are to the rfid implant along with its reaction through cancerous growth and rejection due to synthetic material usage, I will see their point. I probably won't agree but I will concede they have a reason to their logic. I doubt an odds maker would put odds on coincidence here. How could he have seen something this close?
Perhaps we should get back to the original attempt of this thread and realize why many Christians don't want to join with Dr.Paul...I stand by my statement that the real Christians, who can get past the media spin and hear his message, fall in love with him. He is one of US!!! However, the majority of Christians who could relate to him are not mainstream. It is the ugliness and decadence of today's society that has bred a need for seperation.A non-theist reacts with political apathy.
Many of the Christians you need to target believe just by the very nature of running for office you have a character flaw due to a need for self glorification. You cannot look in the mainstream Christian churches for converts, they are following a different agenda. Most of them have already been duped. They are too busy praying for material goods. As a Christian I am trying to explain to you this is prophesied to Christians. Now as such, Christians(please step out of your comfort zone and hear the reasoning from the only frame of reference I can give you) are held accountible for being discerning.
The purpose of the Bible is like a parent warning their child. It tells you how to make life work. The intent is not for the Book to be used by people to enslave people, but to free them. It warns us what to see as signs we have come too far as a society and need to regroup...FAST! Now you and other non-theists have come to a similar conclusion,possibly, that our society needs a Dr.Paul to right our current situation. Christians just have the benefit of biblical insight as to just how bad things are going to get, imho. Problem is that we are divided in how to deal with this issue as Christians:drop out of society and live the best life possible,believe that the saviour(Huckabee or one like him) has been annointed by God and will fix things, or those who get behind someone like Paul and pray we can reverse some of the damage. I am in the last group. I have an obligation to try my best to correct the current situation. The rest, based on my beliefs, is in G*d's hands.....