I've been asked a couple of times why I prefer to call the universe God. Here you go: The God of my misunderstanding would have to include Everything and Everything else. So the universe would be still inadequate. So when I talk about God I'm not just referring to the universe, but the Everything.

I do pray and meditate. I would consider myself a very spiritual person. It serves a purpose in my life that I choose not to do without.

As to the Theist/Atheist debate.... I think that when a person believes something, or has faith, it naturally becomes their reality. And their truth. So if you were to tell me that there is no God, I could not possibly argue with you, because that IS your truth. I think that following ones own path and developing opinions and beliefs is very important. It can be a very interesting journey. And a journey is all that we have. I've found that doing the "right" thing or the "good" thing just because I want to has led me to the greatest freedom I've ever experienced. Almost a sense of knowing, which (in my humble opinion) is the ultimate form of faith. 

 If the mohammed won't come to the mountain...

I know several members here are also active on some Christian forums, busy refuting false claims and attempting to drive home some facts about evolution and science generally. How have you found these? The few Christian forums I've looked over have generally dissuaded me from joining them because most members have quotes like "The bible says it. end of story" or similar, and I haven't found anything really worthy of debate - this being the finer details of intelligent design and its 'proofs', or other at least considered rebuttals of established science.

Do any of you have experience with constructive debating on christian forums or do you find you generally end up being beaten down by idiocy and scripture? Which forums (if any) have the more educated members who at least know what 'burden of proof' means?

My first message:

TWD39, you don't seem like the kind of person who normally insults others. If this is true, why do you make an exception for atheists? And why do you so often apply these insults to atheists in general, as if we're all somehow identical?

TWD39's response:

No, I'm actually a really nice guy. I go off on atheists because I have a low tolerance for rude and disrespectful people. I can't stand people that take pleasure in mocking and belittling others. I was treated as such from the very beginning. Sure, I could respond in a less snarky fashion, but it wouldn't make a difference. I want to reflect back to the atheist the exact tactics and behavior they use on me. The arrogance and refusal to examine or accept evidence for example.

My reply:

So, you mimic behaviors you detest to show others how irritating such behaviors are? An interesting approach, I must say. However, it will only work if you (eventually) stop mimicking those behaviors, as well as explain why you started.

Thank you for answering my first question, I think I understand now. What I really don't understand, however, is why you continue to make statements assuming all atheists behave in an identical manner. I can assure you that they don't, and I can provide examples if you'd like.

My heart pains for each and every one of you.  You think that love is nothing more than a chemical reaction in the brain, rather than the brain's chemical reaction is a response to what we call love.  You harden your hearts, and truely don't understand faith, nor belief.  If you would only truely open your hearts up to our Savior Jesus He will open Himself up to you.  The hatred in this world has blinded you from what is right and true.  Goodbye friends, I hope you see the light of truth someday.

GOD'S NOT DEAD! HE'S SURELY ALIVE! HE'S LIVING ON THE INSIDE, ROARING LIKE A LION!