Trina, this is one of the things I appreciate most about you: "Opening up dialogue, listening to others, never means you have to compromise your position." You understand that you and I don't have to agree on everything to have good dialogue and even a friendship.

Tracy, ditto to what I just said to Trina! And along the "drawing lines in the sand" issue, I really appreciate what you said here: "...which is not to say that makes us in any way better, more self-directed, more reasonable than those that say they are better with God." We all could stand to find ways to hold our views and beliefs firmly, without degrading others in the process. Thanks for being one of the few who's figured that out!

Joi, this is beautifully put, and very much what I personally believe and have experienced in my own life: "The billboard’s suggestion that millions of us can be just fine without God isn’t in any way helpful to the millions of people who can’t figure out how on earth to escape who they are and what they do as a result. Jesus came to give “abundant lifeâ€ to everyone who otherwise are caught in the quagmire of impossible life/personality circumstances. Faith in Jesus creates a new beginning, bringing hope to a previously hopeless life." Thank you for your expression of it.

Jen, yes, if it was about being "good," we'd all be in trouble! The idea of "The Good Christian" is a farce that not only really bothers me, it also gets in the way of everything we're about and all we're trying to do.

credis, thanks for your comment and suggestions. Your choice of words "you and your friends" made me think of one of the things I love most about this blog community: The group I call "my friends" is a very broad collection of people that is not dependent on shared individual beliefs. There are many categories of opinions expressed here, and many subcategories and variations within those. I would never assume I was speaking for "my friends" on an issue like this—only for myself.