Last post Sat, Jan 26 2008 11:25 AM by Evangelist Dave Harper . 7 replies.
What would happen if by some chance your life ended today? For some of us this could be a reality because of the health problems we face, or if by some fluke we were to have a serious accident, heart attack or cancer. If there were only two choices, Heaven or Hell, where would you go and why? What would you base your answer on?
Dave, are you a pastor?
I am an Independent Baptist Evangelist and Bible Institute Teacher. I travel when able to help local Pastors in their ministries by holding revival services, special meetings and teaching Sunday school when needed. I have held the position of Pastor in the past when our Pastor resigned and went into full time evangelism. I have also been a Street Preacher for many years and presently train others in this ministry by teaching college level courses.
Dave,
There has been some discussion of these types of posts. Pros and cons. Unfortunately, far too many turn out to be outright ugly for everyone, posters and readers. I am a teaching pastor and itinerant evangelist in the Church of God - Tennessee denomination and licensed through an independent oversight organization. As one of Disaboom's moderators, I am going to make a public statement "for the record" that this type of post IMHO is inappropriate in the "Back Pain" section. Unfortunately, there is not a forum for "Religion" and I don't know if the Disaboom creators will ever offer one.
While I do condone people "sending good thoughts" and "sending prayers up" as a minor comment in any reply, especially if the thread starter asked for anything like that; however, I see no reason to start "What If" threads like this. There are many religions and beliefs and I assure you that nobody walking this earth right now as a human being has all of the answers and is 100% correct on everything they say for others to consider and perhaps believe in.
Since these types of direct discussions on religion have a high rate of deterioration on just about any Internet based forum (my evidence presented), I would be willing to guess that most discussions allowed to continue here on Disaboom will degrade rapidly. That has also already been evidenced here and is surely not edifying anybody. We need help or want to give help that supports the core reson for this website's creation. I'll be the first to say, while I personally enjoy these types of discussions, I do not believe that it is appropriate; stand alone as it is and in a "Back Pain" forum.
The following two points of the Terms of Service (ToS) for this site will most likely be the first to be violated leading to a thread lock or deletion.
And before that happens, I would like to ask that this thread be LOCKED until a final decision is made by the Disaboom staff concerning this issue. If there is an "Anything Goes" forum or a specific "Religion and Spirituality" forum, that is where this belongs. In the interim, please do not continue these types of posts that are clearly off-topic.
I feel reasonably confident that the other moderators would back me up on this and I pray that the Disaboom staff would seriously consider a separate forum; if they decide to allow religious arguments (Apologetics) for the purpose of converting somebody's beliefs (Proselytism).
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation for the time being.
Dave
1. At my request this topic was move to general discussion and was and has not been replied to in some time by me, I had also asked the moderator to delete the topic since it had become controversial and placed in the wrong area for discussion. 2. This has already been taken up by a moderator of this site so why are you entering the discussion at this late stage? 3. I was new to the site and posted in the wrong area and took care of it. 4. In my post to people and replies I will do my best to witness, encourage and edify those who need it most. 5. For that reason alone you should not hinder,but pray for folks who are hurting to find the help needed.
Are you stating that it is inappropriate to mention Scripture in a verse to try and help someone who might need encouragement? I am trying to understand where you are coming from and what you are attempting to state as perameters. I have not been posting any religous based topics since that particular one in early December on this or similar topics and discussions. As a Preacher and Evangelist I have an obligation to try and help lift someone else out of the pit of depression and show them a better way. It is not proselytism as you state. I couldn't care less if someone becomes a baptist or not. I am concerned about the souls of men and women going to hell and their need of Jesus Christ.
Obviously you have stated your bias above and are not willing that anyone say anything about the Lord that you would not condone and approve. I will not be argumentative or insulting in any way to you, but I will say that unless this site prohibits the free expresion of all members then I will continue on my way as I always have. Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our society, so unless you are going to prohibit all faith based discussions I will simply continue on as I have and try to help as many as I can find hope, joy, faith and help in the only one who can help them with many of these life threatening issues.
Thank you for your concern, I do appreciate it, but I think at this point it is an over reaction to a past issue that had been resolved.
DaveH: 1. At my request this topic was move to general discussion and was and has not been replied to in some time by me, I had also asked the moderator to delete the topic since it had become controversial and placed in the wrong area for discussion. 2. This has already been taken up by a moderator of this site so why are you entering the discussion at this late stage? 3. I was new to the site and posted in the wrong area and took care of it. 4. In my post to people and replies I will do my best to witness, encourage and edify those who need it most. 5. For that reason alone you should not hinder,but pray for folks who are hurting to find the help needed. Are you stating that it is inappropriate to mention Scripture in a verse to try and help someone who might need encouragement? I am trying to understand where you are coming from and what you are attempting to state as perameters. I have not been posting any religous based topics since that particular one in early December on this or similar topics and discussions. As a Preacher and Evangelist I have an obligation to try and help lift someone else out of the pit of depression and show them a better way. It is not proselytism as you state. I couldn't care less if someone becomes a baptist or not. I am concerned about the souls of men and women going to hell and their need of Jesus Christ. Obviously you have stated your bias above and are not willing that anyone say anything about the Lord that you would not condone and approve. I will not be argumentative or insulting in any way to you, but I will say that unless this site prohibits the free expresion of all members then I will continue on my way as I always have. Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our society, so unless you are going to prohibit all faith based discussions I will simply continue on as I have and try to help as many as I can find hope, joy, faith and help in the only one who can help them with many of these life threatening issues. Thank you for your concern, I do appreciate it, but I think at this point it is an over reaction to a past issue that had been resolved.
Hi Dave,
I will not engage in any sort of debate with you. I was merely trying to avoid this thread going "downhill" as has several others when people became defensive for or against religous overtones in messages. Disaboom is for people affected by or exposed to any form of disability. There are plenty of other Internet sites to devote entire threads to the discussion of religion and gay rights; two of the topics that I have seen here go downhill; fast. I was hoping to suggest some guidelines that might be adopted by all to keep Disaboom a place that everyone would want to come to discuss disability related topics.
As for your post resurrection, that was done by others. I'll admit that I did not pay attention to your post date or I probably would have made mention of that fact. If the thread was moved to "General Discussions" that might be true but this thread here is in Health --> Back Pain which is what I mentioned in my first post.
Peace.
Hi Dave it's nice to meet you, I have so many questions for you? I don't know if I am allowed to ask you them on this website, they are all about God.
Wendy
Wendy,
You are welcome to email me privately on disaboom or you can use my persoanl email at evangelistdaveharper@comcast.net
I will try to answer any questions you might have and be a blessing to you.
