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Oh, MineralMan, YOU crack me up!!!!

As an advocate of Non-evangelical Atheists, I'm sure your are a wealth of Biblical information!!!

LOL!

Yet, you always have something charming to say. Let's see what it is this time ... .

"Well, apparently you agree with this policy. I think you'll find that lots of people see glossolalia as being a sign of being saved. Are you so sure they're wrong? Do you feel all that comfortable in simply dismissing glossolalia? "

Perhaps you can explain "glossolalia".

From the Bible, John 3:16 is what GOD says is needed to be "saved":

John 3:16

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I don't need "glossolalia" or any other unBiblical gimmick. Tongues are not needed today either. When tongues were used, they didn't have a BIBLE!!! BIG DIFFERENCE. Today we have all we need in the Bible.

"Having read many posts you have written, I've come to the conclusion that you have a very, very narrow view of Christianity. Somehow, I doubt that you are learned enough to form that view in any reliable way."

I know, the Bible does have that "NARROW" way of presenting itself. Here's another example of that VEY NARROW view of Christianity:

Matt.7:14

[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Seriously, MineralMan, true Christianity based on the Bible, God's Word, DOES have dos and don'ts. It's NOT anything goes. The beauty about that is you are free when you do your best to follow them. You're actually content and at peace no matter what craziness is going on out there.

"Christianity encompasses a very, very wide range of doctrines. Are you absolutely certain that your doctrinal beliefs are the correct ones? If so, please explain what gives you that confidence. "

Wrong! For example the Ten Commandments are NOT the Ten Suggestions. You are to obey them but as Christians we are not legalistic and still under the law. Christ satisfied those deficits taking on out punishment ... .

Christianity does NOT encompass a wide range of doctrines! It's not a multiple choice test and you get to pick what YOU want to believe. My beliefs stem from the BIBLE. The Bible is inspired by God. Perhaps you can explain to me how I can go wrong following what God inspired? Is God wrong? Or is it people that are wrong? I am absolutely confident that my beliefs are correct - they stem from God via the Bible!!! This is what allows me to discern false teachings.

"Otherwise, you might want to give Christians who don't share your exact beliefs a little slack, eh?"

I see no reason to when it doesn't square with the Bible and THEY claim to believe in Him and follow Him too! It is the obligation of a Christian to help a fellow Christian avoid false teachings. I'd like to see them in heaven too. To take your advice and "give them some slack" tells me that whoever is saying that doesn't take God's teachings seriously and doesn't care where that person ends up.

Seriously, nmh, there is much in the Bible you are not addressing. Glossolalia (speaking in tongues) is distinctly in the Bible.

So are the verses you quoted, of course. But other Christians find purpose in other portions of the Bible. You say that you don't think I'm learned enough to talk about this. You're incorrect.

Some might say I don't properly "discern" the meaning of Biblical passages. That's fine, but I do know them, and know them very well.

At one time, in my youth, I found it interesting and useful to memorize entire books of the Bible. I got a free two-week stay at a church camp one Summer for memorizing the entire book of I Corinthians. I also memorized all four of the Gospels, just because I was challenged to do so.

No, I know the Bible very well. I was once a very devoted Christian. I came to my atheism in my 20s. Before that, I was on the verge of attending seminary and joining the ministry.

You know some Bible verses, but are, apparently, ignorant of many others. Many might be worth your learning.