HI Ned,
Yes of course I should have added that these people do not represent what I know of Xianity and Xians in general.
My head of dept is a devout Xian, and you could not meet a nicer more genuine person in the whole world. I tell him about some of my discussions and he just laughs it off, and he says 'surely you know that these people are in a minority'. He cannot believe, for example that there are young earthers out there, he doesn't know a single Xian who believes in a 6000 year old universe.
I, for one, have very good friends who are good examples of caring, knowledgable and thinking Christians. If it was possible for me to change my why of thinking about the universe they would be the ones who would have a chance.
I am in the same boat, I have many friends who are Xians who are very intelligent, caring, rational and articulate, and if I have any questions I would ask them, or I would ask one of the lecturers at uni.
The 'xians' I am on about are the kind that we are all familiar with, the ones who post ignorant 'soundbites' to try and suport their faith. These people do not seem to realise that the Gospel would stand on its own two feet without all these silly childish claims, what do they think is missing from the Gospel that it needs them to support it?
Of course, in discussions with them about this kind of thing they also are dismayed (much more than you or I) at the damage done by the folks you have listed off.
Yes I agree, they must cringe when they hear about some of the garbage that 'Xians' use as support for their faith.
I personally think that people I listed genuinely have turned some people away from xianity.
Can you imagine 'Wise' converting anyone to Xianity? I think not.
Brian.