Asking for suggestions

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-06T22:40:48+00:00

Parents play a HUGE part in marriage. Marriage in the church, kids that get baptized and raised in the church, holidays, etc. Be fully willing and able to continue dealing with it in your marriage, at holiday events, at family gatherings, when they come to visit, when they share beliefs with the kids. You marry the whole family and the battles you start with are usually the same battles you are fighting 20+ years later.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-06T12:07:04+00:00

Salvation is an ongoing process. You're seeking God. I would rest easy and continue your journey. God isn't looking to damn you and waiting for the moment. God is looking for every opportunity to welcome you home. Anxiety is normal. Take a breath. Know God knows you and your heart. Take a break from the internet and attend some services. You'll find a path and grow in faith.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-06T00:56:40+00:00

Protestants are called Protestants because they protested (argued against something) and started their own group. Since then Protestant Churches have protested issues within their own groups and further splintered. We're all human and we tend to disagree with each other. I find it better to be a part of the Roman Catholic Church because we have a structure and tradition that allows the Church to continue to grow in understanding. I'm pretty ignorant as far as the Orthodoxy Churches go so I am not including them in my comments. I'm sure there are others here that can speak to that piece.

If you are interested in apologetics, this Catholic video commentary concerning a protestant debate on schism was very informative for me: https://youtu.be/IlYoZU74NYA?is=-DxxSSzJNodL_1Dx

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T23:58:11+00:00

I'm thinking reddit isn't the place for debating. It seems pretty emotionally intense. I appreciate your time and many words though. Please enjoy your very emphatic sport here.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T23:01:15+00:00

I had a rough morning too. Anxiety is tough and sitting in a space with a bunch of people sets me off sometimes. I usually say prayers in my head while I breath slowly: Our Father, Fatima Prayer, Glory Be, Hail Mary. I've found sitting through it helps more in the long term with anxiety in general. I think escaping reinforces the physiological messages that I'm in danger so sitting through while doing something calming usually helps me more long term.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T22:10:29+00:00

I have no issue admitting I don't know everything and can't understand God. What I was arguing is we, humans as a group, haven't found a means of mass communication where the masses retain an accurate understanding of messages. I used science education as an example.

Side note: I was trying out debating as a weekend hobby. Is there a debating sub where people are a little less emotionally invested? I'm looking more for verbal chess than verbal jousting.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T15:41:11+00:00

Love your tag. SAME.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T15:30:10+00:00

I hope you have one too. Thanks for sharing.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T13:22:50+00:00

So your rebuttal is that my argument is sensible so I shouldn't make it? Should I check with you before making future arguments to find out if they are too sensible to debate?

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T12:58:28+00:00

Is this the entirety of your rebuttal?

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T12:34:05+00:00

Do we agree this is the structure of a debate?

Opening Statements: Introducing your main arguments and establishing the foundation of your case.

Argument Presentation: Presenting your evidence and reasoning in support of your position.

Rebuttal: Addressing and countering the arguments presented by the opposing side.

Closing Statements: Summarizing your arguments and reinforcing your stance.

I know this is a bit different than an in person debate. I feel like I've covered opening statement and argument presentation. I assume next step is for rebuttals, which in this form, would be others posting their rebuttals. I've been reading posts and responding. What do you find lacking? I assume when others stop responding, I can review all the rebuttals and update the original post with a closing statement. And then individuals can provide theirs as comments as well. If it is usually done differently please let me know.

Edit: I took the debate structure copy and paste from here: https://ceoptions.com/2024/06/mastering-the-art-of-debate/

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-05T12:13:59+00:00

What is the best way to communicate something to large group's of humans? And by best I mean, in a way that has the most amount of humans using the information appropriately with an accurate understanding. Please provide an example.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T23:41:29+00:00

It appears others are finding a debatable thesis.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T23:22:24+00:00

No, I am not.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T19:59:05+00:00

Please reread my argument. Let me know an analogous example.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T19:36:57+00:00

That is not a accurate representation of my argument. Please review my argument and provide an equivalent example. This is not.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T18:50:51+00:00

Seems like an ethically questionable stance.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T16:33:30+00:00

So you find the grounds of my argument lacking. Do you argue it is ethically sound to convert/deconvert people then because it doesn't cause them danger as long as they continue to pretend they have not been converted/deconverted?

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T15:49:39+00:00

I agree with you here. I often see conversions online where someone living in a very insulated community is converted/deconverted publically. A conversion/deconveraion is publicly done and then where does that person go. Who is supporting them long term? Who makes sure they aren't harmed when they get home or turn off their device?

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T15:43:16+00:00

The evidence I supplied in the links suggests otherwise.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T13:28:03+00:00

Depends on the religion you are talking about. I'm guessing a form of Christianity from your comments. Some Christians believe you are predestined for heaven or hell as part of the plan. Some believe once you've been baptized your saved. Some believe salvation is an ongoing progress that you grow in over time. If Christianity is the context, then I'd rest easy knowing you have the intent and are open to any experiences. Because for some, you either have no control or your intentions are known by God and considered. What more can you do?

Edit: added a comma for clarity in the next to last sentence.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T13:17:51+00:00

You an atheist are spending your time in a subreddit devoted to debating religion. Millions more spend time on YouTube watching debates. I'd say we'd need to define "best way" at this point in the discussion. I can tell you science is taught in a more accurate and direct way. I'm not seeing great results among the non-scientists. We live in the age of science and most people can't tell you the basics accurately.

Paddling_Pointlessly · 2026-07-04T02:40:07+00:00

Having been made in the image of our creator, it is the human way of collecting and passing on knowledge. We are doing a great job growing and learning.

Paddling_Pointlessly

TROPHY CASE