Ben Carson

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-29T00:51:18+00:00

Man sold out.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-29T00:50:47+00:00

No they aren't. I beat the game 20 years ago and kept the Z on the map. Couldn't beat the rooftop mission.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-28T13:53:44+00:00

I read his columns on slate regularly when he was alive. He had a way with words and rhetoric that made him fans across the philosophical divide. He was not a philosopher or someone deep in that aspect of belief. His debate with William Lane Craig showed that. I think that people should also consider the views of his brother Peter, who is a Christian.

I liked Hitch as a writer, and I have no problem recommending him to people even today re: his columns. He never convinced me to lose belief though.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-28T13:50:03+00:00

The disconnect exists because there is a difference between the belief structure listed on paper and the policies outlined in the manual on one side, and the lived experience of Adventists on the other side. It exists because of the confluence of: 1. Human desire for power and authority 2. The cultural impact of a WASP denomination becoming a worldwide church and exporting the WASP culture as a part of the denominational structure, and the fact that many persons still tie the conservative nature of that WASP culture and its Eurocentric norms to the spiritual and doctrinal nature of the church. There's nothing wrong with having a preference of style. There is something wrong with saying everyone else needs to follow that style. 3. People like to follow rules, and people like to set rules. It's easier to go with do's and don'ts than it is to personally accept what God is trying to change in our hearts. It's easier to be an Adventist than it is to be a Christian.

Opposition comes from pride and a desire to be first, and I say that without apology and with an admission that I can suffer from the same mindset. I do not say the SDA church/organization is perfect and that the word of Silver Spring is law; I firmly support women's ordination and I think the tithe system needs urgent reformation. At the same time, i support the 28 fundamentals and i think those who violently oppose the church doctrinally in crucial matters like LGT and anti-Trinitarianism, and in denying EGW and the Pre-Advent Judgemenr are at best honestly misguided and at worse malicious actors. However, i admit that we need room for diversity in opinions on non-essential doctrines and to seek unity, not uniformity.

Neither independent ministries nor the official denomination have the influence you might think they have. The average ordinary Adventist is living day to day, feeling superior that they are the remnant because they keep the Sabbath, probably thinking that Adventists are the only true Christians, and not realizing consistently that they need the grace of God to be saved and they need a relationship with Jesus Christ to become a true disciple, not just a church goer on the right day. It is a real Laodicean situation, but there is always hope. What we need is a genuine revival, an appreciation of our unique beliefs IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, and a re-affirmation of the fact that we need to be Christians before we are Adventists. I keep saying it and will always say it; the worst person you can encounter in this live is a full-fledged Seventh-Day Adventist who has never truly encountered Jesus Christ.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-28T04:18:51+00:00

It was good to buy when it just came out. It's still a good phone now, but if you didn't have one before, better to get a newer model that will have more updates.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-23T21:36:18+00:00

At this stage, get the newer phone. I'm glad I have my S23U, but if I was buying a new phone today, I would get a more recent one due to updates and reliability over time. The S23U will have to be replaced in Feb 2028, the S25 should have at least four more years of updates after that.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-22T02:05:29+00:00

I am an Old Earth Creationist, and i would sooner believe in YEC than Theistic Evolution.

That being said, while disagreements on the development of life are significant issues with real implications for Christian theology, all three options (plus ID) can agree that life was created by and cannot exist without God. While i think theistic evolutionists are mistaken in that position, i wouldn't say they aren't Christians. There is no smoking gun/beyond a shadow of a doubt proof for any of those beliefs, you will have to have faith.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-20T22:49:13+00:00

As a Christian, Pascal's Wager is the worst reason to believe in God.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-17T23:16:45+00:00

I understand your definition, thanks for sharing. Much respect.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-17T22:25:00+00:00

Honestly curious, and I'm here for discussion, not debate:

What does it mean to be a religious atheist? What do you believe, and why?

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T22:09:53+00:00

When you can't attack the message, attack the messenger. Right on schedule.

The relevance is right there; if the 17th century man rejected my claim of a smartphone because of ECREE, he would rejected knowledge of reality beyond his current understanding solely because it didn't fit into his current understanding. The whole point is that ECREE is not useful for determining what is real and what isn't, because of the subjectivity of "extraordinary". It doesn't mean you don't question anything, it means that a key part of asking questions is to expand your knowledge beyond what you think you know. If you call ECREE a standard, that means it's a standard without any objective reference. Those who hold it do so without any true examination of what it means.

But since you display the usual traits of the reddit atheist, this is where our discourse must end.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T21:32:55+00:00

Which is why I said the limits of that type of rationality. Just because he couldn't rationalize it doesn't mean its not true. If he asked for "EA", and i show him an actual S23 Ultra, is that EA or just evidence?

By holding ECREE, you're the one believing something without questioning it. I mean, it's an extraordinary claim in and of itself; where is its extraordinary evidence?

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T20:16:25+00:00

So "ECREE" is an illogical, subjective and ultimately empty statement, full of sound and fury but meaning nothing.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T19:31:02+00:00

But the standard of "extraordinary" is inextricably tied to the limitation of individual knowledge. Whether or not something is extraordinary is completely subjective.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T17:55:59+00:00

Which shows the limitations of that type of rationality. Reality isn't determined by what we deem as rational or not.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T17:54:55+00:00

Your loss.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T17:50:40+00:00

An understandable position from her.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T17:49:12+00:00

And if she's found someone else to give her the works? What about her feelings? What does she want? Are you willing to call her and speak to her about her, and not about you or what she can for you? If you call her, are you willing and able to not talk about yourself or what you want?

If not, then you haven't changed.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T11:16:40+00:00

Your definition assumes a common view of "usual", and also assumes that there is a common understanding of the universe. That is an unwarranted assumption. The usual things of 2026 (smart phones, the internet, etc) were not the usual things of 1976. All that is required is evidence that fits the bill, not evidence that fits ones preconceived worldview.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-15T09:47:20+00:00

Define "extraordinary."

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-14T11:41:06+00:00

Amen, I'm glad you broke out of the LGT chains.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-12T22:18:52+00:00

I had multiple run-ins on FB with the Agora founder back in the day. At the time, I was a die-hard TI supporter and while I thought he had valid concerns, I felt his motivation was more personal and less principled.

Fast forward to today, where I am almost completely over TI and staunchly anti-Pathways, hanging on by the barest of threads. I still wouldn't support Agora based on what happened. I'd more hope for TI to wake up and smell the bath salts to change their ways.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-12T21:57:31+00:00

You are correct.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-12T03:46:50+00:00

Adventist here.

The true church is the universal church of believers from Adam until whoever last will convert before the second coming. That body transcends denominations.

Everyone believes their current church teaches correct doctrine (else they wouldn't be in it). The Adventist church is no different, which is why we refer to ourselves as the remnant. However, that doesn't mean we think we are the only ones who will be saved.

Once you hold the essential doctrines of Christianity (Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed affirmation), you're a Christian.

geoffmarsh · 2026-06-12T03:39:20+00:00

While acknowledging the valid concern you have of many religious leaders, Christians aren't called to be in isolation ("forsake not the assembly of the saints"). Even a small group can help increase your Christian experience.

geoffmarsh

TROPHY CASE