03/12/02, CARM Newsletter

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY	www.carm.org	HOME PAGE

CARM NEWSLETTER 03/12/2002
www.carm.org
from Matt Slick, Director.

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ATHEIST COMMENTS
Most people have personality quirks. I definitely have mine, just ask my wife. One of my quirks is that I like a good debate. It relaxes me, makes me feel good, helps me process the stress of the day, etc. I know, kinda weird. Well, one of the ways I get to debate is on the internet on Paltalk (www.paltalk.com) where I sometimes go to the atheist rooms and try to have a polite conversation. Of course, part of the real reason I am there is to get insulted because I know that even though I'm polite, they won't be. For some strange reason, I like it when the atheists levy denigrating vituperations at me. I honestly try and present biblical truth to them in a loving manner, but they aren't interested. Instead, they tend to insult me, a lot. Now, not all atheists are vindictive, a very few are thoughtful and polite. But, there sure are a lot of obstreperous atheists on the Internet. Following are some of the many insults I've received from them in the past three days. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

"You brain dead idiot. Take your brain dead hypocritical sorry self and leave."
"You lying sack of crap."
"Matt you fool."
"You play mind games."
"I copied his [my text chat] comments to show how inane it was."
"'slick' - how appropriate a nick is that? Just like all the slick preachers."
"You ignorant peace of Christian fecal matter."
"We will let you think when you get a brain Matt."
"Matt...when was the last time you actually thought?"
"You sound like you are in second or third grade."
"Why does your freaking god judge the creation it made? Matt is a retard."
"Matt you are repulsive as a human being and you need to stay away from children."
"Matt, insults where insults are due is just plain speaking truth."

Notice the in-depth refutations of arguments imbedded in their verbal repartees. We could learn a lot from these atheists: how not to debate.

But seriously, I do honestly try and reach them for Christ. It isn't easy and I have to wade through a lot of personal attacks to make a very few points with them. It takes a lot of work and patience.

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PRAISE REPORTS
Like a proud dad showing off pictures of his kids, praise reports are snippets of bright spots in the CARM world. Here are a few from this past week:

"Thanks for doing a great job - keep up the good work."
"Your site is absolutely the best, most comprehensive Christian website I have ever seen. So far, it seems to have covered almost every question I have ever had about Christianity, the bible, interpretation about our culture, cults etc. Great, logical answers to help build my faith and share with others." [I love this one.]
"I love your site. I especially enjoy the dialogues with the other cults. Your doing an awesome job!!! Keep it up."

Okay, enough of the CARM love-fest. The important thing is that people are using CARM. I thank the Lord for putting this burden on my heart seven years ago. It has been a trial and a privilege at the same time.

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CARM CONVENTION
The CARM convention is moving ahead and is definitely set for the weekend of June 21st in Colleyville, Texas, just north of Dallas. If any of you can make it, that would be great. I'd love to meet you. So far it looks like we will have a large turnout. For some early details go to http://www.carm.org/more/carmconvention.htm.

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FUTURE PLANS
The goal of CARM is to rule the world and convert everyone to Christianity. Okay, maybe its a bit big for a one man operation, but its a goal isn't it!? Actually, Lord willing, I hope to get CARM into a full-time status and then get a staff, produce a magazine, do radio, and get training seminars going all over the U.S., and make tapes and videos available. That is a serious goal and it is realistic. If the Lord provides the means, we can do it.

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CARM IS GETTING MORE POPULAR
Last week's hit count on CARM's homepage was just under 18,000 page views. Slowly but surely, CARM is increasing in hits. Heck, I remember the good ol' days when CARM got 500 page views in an entire week. I was stoked and would moon walk all over the place and say "woohoo!" Now I just smile -- must be old age.

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NEEDS OF CARM
I figure I should let people know what CARM's needs are so they can pray knowledgeably or even contribute in some way to help. First, CARM is in need of a new laser printer. The old one is on its last legs. Second, the traveling expenses for the CARM convention for my wife and I will be around $1500 including airfare, hotel, car, etc. Hopefully, I can fly out alone two months before and meet the appropriate people to coordinate on various particulars. If anyone wants to donate towards that end, please let me know. Third, I'm collecting information on Masonry for a future section on CARM. In fact, any information anyone has on various cults is welcome. If you have something and want to send it out, just address it to CARM, P.O. Box 995, Meridian, ID, 83680. If you'd like a donation receipt or reimbursement for shipping, please let me know.

Finally, CARM is an experiment that is growing into a ministry. The Lord has provide so much through the body of Christ and He will continue to do so through His people. So, please remember to pray for this ministry that people will find the information here useful.

And, thank you for the tapes, books, donations, and emails of encouragement that you've already sent. They have been a great blessing.

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Maybe you skip this section, but please don't. CARM needs your help.

Remember, CARM is a non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Would you please consider supporting CARM financially? I'm asking for people to donate FIVE dollars a month, just five bucks a month. If enough people did that, I could move into CARM full time. Can you afford five dollars a month? Is CARM worth it? If you think it is and if you've been blessed by CARM's ministry and really want to see it continue to give free, accurate information on the web, then please check out http://www.carm.org/goods/donations.htm. Signing up takes only about two minutes. There is a way to contribute there by automatically having five dollars deducted from your credit card monthly. It is easy to set up and you can cancel it anytime. Please pray about it and, hopefully, help out.

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GOT A SUGGESTION FOR CARM OR THIS NEWSLETTER?
If you have suggestions for what you would like to see in this newsletter or for CARM, please return e-mail me and let me know.

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PRAYER REQUESTS
If you care to, please remember this ministry in your prayers. Remember the CARM convention. It needs to be under girded with prayer.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK.
Phil. 1:6
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus," (NASB).

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In Him,

Matt Slick, your missionary on the Net.

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