Sam Harris

Here's a web page with hundreds of em'. http://www.testimonies.com.au/topics/hell_experiences_1.htm - up to you - pick a category.

quote from site

'These contain testimonies on visions and experiences of HELL so please remember the subject matter being discussed here concerns the fate of your eternal soul. I know the temptation is to put off thinking about these things—but your ignorance, lack of knowledge, or non-belief of Hell does not make it any less real. Considering that Jesus mentioned Hell many times in the New Testament, we can be very certain that Hell does indeed exist. We know this because, God always speaks the truth and He always adheres precisely to His word.

Lord Jesus, I ask you to keep me out of Hell
Forgive my sins.
I turn my life over to you.
If I die, I want to go to Heaven.
If I live, I'll be "on the hook" forever.
...The man, by the way, has stayed "on the hook." He is now a strong Christian, although before this incident he had gone to church only occasionally. Although he is still too shy and reticent to speak before groups, he has remained a compelling personal witness for Jesus Christ on a one-to-one basis. "

I think this subject has been raised before but its a very important 'hook'.

Testimonies are a very popular tool and without it I think xianity would collapse? To me its interesting that some of the 'testimonies' sound like they are parotted from a script. What other purpose does it serve? The internet makes them seem quite self indulgent and to me all testimonies are. I personally don't think my story is of any value to anyone else but me.

So what makes it valuable the content or the message -or the telling? Or the fact that lots of people spread a similar message?

For testimonies online there's no more complete source of links than those at Steve Locks' website, "Leaving Christianity":  http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~slocks/decon.html#links

Snakechic, did you get the term “Xtianity” from Satanism?
  I usually don’t hear that term from anybody other than
  satanists. I am not sure if they can claim to have originated
  the term,but it is nevertheless appropriate, IMO when referring
  to the moronic travesty of christianity!!! I could care less if you
  actually are a satanist. The title in my mind is fairly meaningless
  since many people who hold a countless number of varying beliefs and points of view claim it. I believe there are decent
and not-so decent individuals who hold almost every sort of
belief/POV. That would include satanists and yes, some “Xtians” as
well. In any case,I was just curious and please share if you care to.

I use this short cut all the time! I ‘ve been reading this forum since Jan and just never had time to join until now. I’m not an anything…...one of the great unwashed and faithless but I do like sam’s book….is that ok?

<smiles>
to add….are you kidding I’ve never heard that before? the assumption I mean, maybe that’s why I offend xians sometimes but I doubt that somehow….chuckle….I liked your contribution in the “wizards” thread - its a fasinatin’ subject

some of the most ‘frightening’ individuals i’ve met have been fundamentalist xians!
Satanists…..HaH! pussycats!

No offense taken or intended. I’m not really an “anything” either.
  Except an Agnostic who does believe (but has no certainties) in
  the reality of some sort of spiritual or “transmaterial” realm.
  Ofcourse it’s ok if you like Sam’s book, I do as well.

  You wrote

<smiles>
    to add….are you kidding I’ve never heard that before? the
    assumption I mean ,mabye that’s why I offend xians sometimes
    but I doubt that somehow….chuckle….I liked your contribution
    in the “wizards” thread-its a fasinatin’ subject

    What I was saying is that from my experience, the term “Xtianity” is most commonly used by Satanists or by
non-Satanists who claim to have gotten the term from
the writings,speech of Satanists, like the late Anton Lavey.
I guess I was wrong. Like I said, i don’t know if they originated
the term or not. Whatever the case, it is a useful term. Oh well,it’s
not that important. I feel stupid for even bringing it up. I’ll chalk it
up to mere boredom, this forum seems pretty inactive tonight and
i’ve already posted and counter-posted all I care to.

    As far as my contribution to the “wizards” thread, I’m glad you
    liked it. Although i’m not sure if you are referring to one particular post of mine there or more,since I made several.
If you liked that, perhaps you wish to post your comments,
questions,insults   or whatever you like on my new thread
in the “new age” Topic.

  You wrote

some of the most ‘frightening’ individuals i’ve met have been fundamentalist xians! Satanists…..HaH! pussycats!

  That has generally been my experience as well. The bark
  of the Satanists is usually louder than they’re bite. Many
  are actually quite agreeable. There are a tiny minority that
  do things like burn churches(especially in Scandanavia,not
  sure if this is such a bad thing, though :twisted:) and sometimes
  kill people. Although I don’t agree with much of the overall philosophy of many Satanists. It is far too much like Ayn Rand’s
  “Objectivism” and Social Darwinism. But there are also “Satanic
  Greens”, “Satanic Communists” and just about everything else.
  There are a few who actually believe in the “devil” and consider
  “evil” good. This is merely inverted christianity. One thing all
  these groups have in common is they all consider themselves
  “true Satanists” and engage in alot of in-fighting and calling each
  other idiots and false. Pretty much like any other ideology.

  I found one point of interest in a book called “Lucifer Rising”
  (I forgot the author’s name). The author interviewed one
  particular self-proclaimed satanist who seemed to be one
  of the more sociopathic/sadistic types. He said he actually
  admires fundamentalist christians, like Jerry Falwell,indeed
  because of the overall misery they contribute to the world.
  This charming individual said he only hates those christians
  who truly live up to the, “love the neighbor” stuff and earnestly
  try to live by Christ’s better teachings. Naturally, this did not
  surprise me in the least.

“Landulf II
 
Thanks - don’t worry I appreciate the welcome. I’ll reply in more detail later…..

<bows at waist> sleep well

.“X” as in X-mas is Xtain is a symbol for Christ and was developed by Christians and not Satanists.  A long “P” with an “X” under it appears on many Christian symbols, including garments wore by the pope.  Legend has it that St Peter was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross.

I once heard in church that the Easter Bunny was created by Satan to distract from the resurrection of Christ.  But the Easter bunny is a pagan symbol that predates Christ death.

Fundamental Christians are often ignorant of history and everything they don’t like or understand is from Satan.

My advice put down the Bible and read a history or science book.

[quote author=“MrMody”].“X” as in X-mas is Xtain is a symbol for Christ and was developed by Christians and not Satanists.  A long “P” with an “X” under it appears on many Christian symbols, including garments wore by the pope.  Legend has it that St Peter was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross.

I once heard in church that the Easter Bunny was created by Satan to distract from the resurrection of Christ.  But the Easter bunny is a pagan symbol that predates Christ death.

Fundamental Christians are often ignorant of history and everything they don’t like or understand is from Satan.

My advice put down the Bible and read a history or science book.

I knew all that but I was being humble   The fundie church you speak of….do they hand out pamphets per chance? I bet they also spread the well worn hate against the catholics? :D a.k.a. Mr Ralph Edward Woodrow. 1966. ‘Babylon Mystery Religion”.

I’ve decided to become more in touch with my ‘pagan’ roots lately so I’m quite happy to read all about it! ....oh I’ve never felt the need to read the bible cover to cover - it doens’t make sense and contradicts itself. <shrug>