I'm a Former Porn Producer - Now a Christian

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I'm a Former Porn Producer - Now a Christian

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Started 3 years ago by DonnyPauling
Latest reply from Jonathan Rothwell

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dwade
Member

Donny,
I really appreciate your post. You are brave to make this truth known to all about your former profession. I believe that people can change, really change. Because of free will, God gives us the opportunity to join His family. My experience of the One True God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Hebrew God Jehovah, the Alpha and Omega, The Heavenly Father that Jesus Christ, His Son spoke of often, is this:

He chose me on January 15, 1989. His Holy Spirit was revealed to me, supernaturally. I accepted Him that day, without reservation, without question or a shred of doubt in my mind, that He was who He made claim to be. The reason I share this with you and the atheist community is this...

You cannot meet God personally without faith. You cannot communicate with God without His Holy Spirit. Talking with someone who has never experienced God or His Holy Spirit is like trying to communicate in a foreign language that no one understands.

The negative of trying to blog your faith with lost souls? They cannot see your face, sense your sincerity, see your faith with your life. This is simply not possible with those that have decided not to believe in God.

I would like to post more information about the dangers of pornography, would you mind assisting me with my blog at: http://www.dougwadedesign.wordpress.com?

You are a hero in my book, I hope that you experience the joy and faith that I have over the last 20 years. I hope that God uses your past life to reach others with the truth of His Word. This makes life worth living.

Posted 3 years ago #
Travis
Member

This is nothing new. I have talked with many people who profess faith and say they have had personal experience with God face-to-face. I don't need to see Donny's face to understand his sincerity, but his argument (sincere as it may be) has no facts that can convince me of its truth.

My "faith" is that if God really did exist, I would be able to discern that through observable facts. I legitimately would like the Christian God to exist, but refuse to bend over backwards to get him to make logical sense. Why is your unquestioning faith valued by God more than my legitimate search for answers?

Posted 3 years ago #
phrankygee
Member

" I accepted Him that day, without reservation, without question or a shred of doubt in my mind, that He was who He made claim to be."

First, I must point out that this is the exact definition of the word "gullible".

The "he" in this sentence could be Bernie Madoff, Idi Amin, Joseph Smith, Tony Alamo, The Dalai Lama, Baha'ullah, or David Koresh. They all had the same effect on people

Secondly, I have to ask: who did he "make claim to be", and how did he make that claim?

In other words: How, exactly did He communicate this claim to you, and what did He tell you about Himself?

And Thirdly: Why do you think he did not give me the same assurance he gave you?

Posted 3 years ago #
Teleprompter
Member

Donny, my pseudonym may not be the name of a porn film (Deep Throat), identified with the Founding of our country (Publius), or linked to a crusade against an evil cult (Anonymous), but it prevents me from worrying about personal threats from those who take offense to my arguments.

Have you seen my exchanges with some Christians on this blog or on my blog? Some of them honestly believe that if God told them to murder someone, it would be moral. And what if he told them to murder me?

Or what if a future potential employer looks for my name on the Internet and finds atheism-related material under my name? I live in a highly conservative, religious population, and it would definitely hinder me to have my (ir)religious remarks made public.

But you know absolutely nothing about this, because your beliefs have been privileged for hundreds of years.

You know what? Ignore the relevantly successful historical pseudonyms. Ignore the fully valid reasons for atheists and agnostics not to reveal their private information.

Just keep thinking of me as the caricature of the atheist in your mind, if you're not interested in learning new perspectives or gaining anything from this discussion.

But if you don't want to completely waste your time here, then I suggest that you should listen to us and perhaps grant us a modicum of respect.

Or do you want to take your place as yet another example of "Unreasonable Faith"?

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

phrankygee,
First: you are not able to differentiate between the experiences that other people have with these so called spiritual leaders. This can only be understood on a personal level. So the arguments that you use to compare Christ with earthly icons is not a sufficient gauge. Unless you have personally interview these people that were effected.

I am not sharing an experience of feeling good either. I am making the claim that God revealed Himself to me in such a powerful way that I was compelled to believe. No man, no priest, nobody knocked on my door in a white shirt and converted me.

It was me and the Holy Spirit meeting for the first time.

How did He communicate with me? It was a supernatural experience. I was seeking Him, He said here I am. I was awestruck, and then I realized all of the situations that had occurred throughout my life up to that point, where he used another believer to reveal Himself.

God uses people to reveal Himself, that's why the ultimate reveal was in His Son Jesus.

Have you ever met someone that just made the hair raise up on the back of your neck, they had this deep, deep love for you..it is if they know you from the inside out?

Have you ever been in a relationship where a person was dramatically changed and didn't turn back? And you just kept waiting for them to turn tail and run back to their old life..but they didnt?

Do you see the good in people and wonder what motivates that love, love that is unimaginable to the typical human experience? Love that is so deep, and forgiveness that goes beyond human reasoning?

Or someone that forgave an offense to someone, like a murderer and then the partner who was left behind to suffer does something completely out of the ordinary, they love that person who murdered their loved one?

The true meaning of love, as defined in the Bible, has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society. Most often, love is confused with infatuation - that elated, "high" feeling we get when we "fall in love." This kind of "love" is something that lasts typically less than a year, and unless replaced by true love, results in broken relationships.

Love is defined in several ways in the Bible:

1. Phileo love (or brotherly love)- Love that is conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us
2.Eros Love - Eros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "(romantic) love". The term erotic is derived from eros. Like the kind of love displayed in PORN films.
3. Agape Love - this is the love that Christ showed us. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.

Christ was the true example of Agape Love, that was the love shown to me. That was the kind of love that motivates me to love others.

On assurance, if you had the same kind of certainty that I experience, then we probably wouldn't be having this conversation, and you would not be asking me how I know, that I know, that I know.

Sincerely,
d

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Travis,

RE: Why is your unquestioning faith valued by God more than my legitimate search for answers?

It's not valued more by God. He values your life the same as He values mine. Hopefully I haven't lead you to believe otherwise.

I just took the short cut, I didn't have to exhaust myself looking for the physical proof. And I guess I was READY to handle it. The question you have to ask yourself, are you willing to give everything up?

Your career, friends, bad habits, money, and most importantly your reputation to know Him? A sincere heart finds God. He's just waiting for you to put Him first. And believe me it's worth it. Kind of comparable to being released from prison after serving 25 years....FREEDOM....yeah baby!!

Sola Gratia.

Posted 3 years ago #
cynic
Member

"I am not sharing an experience of feeling good either. I am making the claim that God revealed Himself to me in such a powerful way that I was compelled to believe. No man, no priest, nobody knocked on my door in a white shirt and converted me.

It was me and the Holy Spirit meeting for the first time"

so before that you had never heard of the christian god ?

Meeting This 'Holy Spirit' for the first time, it identfied itself to you as the holy spirit, made popular by the English version of the bible?

"You cannot meet God personally without faith"
That's the problem right there. why do you have to leave your brain at the door in order to submit to this god who gave you the brain in the first place.
And its not just the god of the bible that requires your brain but every single religion.
when will you realize that faith is not necessarily a good thing because everyone has faith in god, allah, brahma, xamamba...the list goes on and on.
religious folk holds as much weight as my five year old cousin who did not believe me when i told him santa does not exist because he has read books on santa and his mother and every other person in the world has convinced him that santa does exist.
The kid has never seen Santa but Santa dwells in his innermost being the same way the holy spirit dwells in the innermost being of believers who claim to have the holy spirit

Posted 3 years ago #
Travis
Member

I was a Christian for many years with a truly sincere heart. God NEVER revealed himself to me during this time. I can say that openly and honestly now, because I no longer fear the truth. You took a "short-cut", and while you might not need physical proof, I do. Presumably God created me this way, so why should I deny my nature in order to gain faith?

The freedom I feel as an atheist is far greater than any illusion I had of freedom during my 20 or so years as a "Christian".

Sola Gratia (grace alone) is a nice idea, but not one that is very reconcilable with the God of the Bible. I am assuming this is the God you proclaim to know, since "giving everything up" is a teaching from Jesus and Sola Gratia has Protestant roots.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Cynic,
If you are using the story of Santa Claus (although it's a tired argument to compare him to Christ), you are missing the real story:

St Nicholas was a man inspired by God to give to the poor. He was actually a real person who lived at one time. Jesus was God, he came to reveal God to the poor in spirit. The difference is St Nicholas is not alive anymore, Christ is.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Travis,
our true nature apart from Christ, is fleshly, physical, logical, rational, and quite frankly one of disbelief.

Truly accepting Christ and His atonement opens the door to belief.

Disbelief is an enemy to belief
The Flesh wars against the Spirit
Logic is a way to faith, many Atheists have tried to answer the question who was Jesus, and determined that He was who He claimed to be.

Continue on in your search for the truth my friend.

For you were saved by faith, not of works, so that no man can boast.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Cynic,
Back to the Santa story...

Don't you think that Santa represents a good, giving, caring, father figure? People all need this, because we were (Designed) to need this. A lot of folks replace God with Santa Claus because he represents that fatherly figure that everyone desires.

Funny thing is, St Nick was a believer in Christ, his claims were that Christ showed him love, he wanted to share that with others and help the poor. (not the rich), he was a wealthy man and wanted to give back.

My point here is, Father God is who everyone is really searching for, you can deny it (even for a lifetime) but ultimately, He's the one that fits the final missing puzzle piece.

Posted 3 years ago #
Daniel Florien
Administrator

dwade, please do your evangelizing in the evangelism topic. I've let Donny get away with it here a bit because it's his thread introducing himself.

However, I don't want your pious theological ramblings anywhere but in the designated thread.

(Moderators please delete or move dwade's evangelism posts after this since he has been warned.)

Posted 3 years ago #
cynic
Member

first of all

"Logic is a way to faith, many Atheists have tried to answer the question who was Jesus, and determined that He was who He claimed to be."

you just overloaded my bullshit meter

I think you missed the point of my post because St nick is not santa. St nick probably existed , i don't know and frankly don't care, but Santa clause does not exist.
Santa is a representation of capitalism and comercialism at its best and for you to actually compare your god to a symbol for overpriced toys says a lot

"A lot of folks replace God with Santa Claus because he represents that fatherly figure that everyone desires"
more bullshit. The only folk that believe in santa are children and i dont think children have the wherewithal to replace god with santa.
A child believes in santa because he has been deceived by everyone that santa does exist even though we all know he doesn't

Plus you did not address:

"I am not sharing an experience of feeling good either. I am making the claim that God revealed Himself to me in such a powerful way that I was compelled to believe. No man, no priest, nobody knocked on my door in a white shirt and converted me.

It was me and the Holy Spirit meeting for the first time"

so before that you had never heard of the christian god ?

Meeting This 'Holy Spirit' for the first time, it identfied itself to you as the holy spirit, made popular by the English version of the bible?

I really want to know

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Cynic,
Sorry cant share anymore here. Daniel isn't allowing it. If you would like to continue this conversation come on over:

http://www.dougwadedesign.wordpress.com

Posted 3 years ago #
Daniel Florien
Administrator

Just move it over to the evangelism section, that's all I ask. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

cool

Posted 3 years ago #
Durmphoto
Member

To quote Dwade:" He chose me on January 15, 1989. His Holy Spirit was revealed to me, supernaturally. I accepted Him that day, without reservation, without question or a shred of doubt in my mind, that He was who He made claim to be. The reason I share this with you and the atheist community is this...

You cannot meet God personally without faith. You cannot communicate with God without His Holy Spirit. Talking with someone who has never experienced God or His Holy Spirit is like trying to communicate in a foreign language that no one understands."

I Like to call this the "Bigfoot Problem". Lots of people claim to have had a personal experience with bigfoot. But since the creature has never actually been proven to exist - it appears to be another example of the fallibility of the human mind, and human perception.

Posted 3 years ago #
rodneyAnonymous
Member

He chose me on January 15, 1989. His Holy Spirit was revealed to me, supernaturally. I accepted Him that day, without reservation, without question or a shred of doubt in my mind, that He was who He made claim to be. [...] Talking with someone who has never experienced God or His Holy Spirit is like trying to communicate in a foreign language that no one understands

Do you understand that many people, myself included, had <i>extremely similar experiences</i>? You are not talking to someone who has "never experienced God or His Holy Spirit". I have seen angels. I have spoken in tongues. Turns out, it's hogwash. You can see and hear and taste and touch and smell things that aren't real.

Posted 3 years ago #
rodneyAnonymous
Member

...how come [em] is okay but [i] isn't? Keep forgetting :)

Posted 3 years ago #
DonnyPauling
Member

Turns out, it's hogwash. You can see and hear and taste and touch and smell things that aren't real.

My mind was hallucinating tonight, then, 'cause I spent an incredible amount of time with God.

Posted 3 years ago #
phrankygee
Member

Did he tell you anything useful or helpful?

Did he tell you why he hasn't visited me? Did he tell you why he won't fix your friend's arms and legs? Why he creates some kids with horrible birth defects?

Or did he just tell you how awesome you are?

Posted 3 years ago #
DonnyPauling
Member

Do you know how ridiculous it sounds to hear people claim God doesn't exist after spending so much time with Him? It's kinda like me telling you that your parents don't exist because I've never met them and don't know much about them.

It's also amusing to see people feel like they are "too smart" to believe in God.

Posted 3 years ago #
phrankygee
Member

I can introduce you to my parents.

I can give you a phone number where they can be reached.

Claims about my parents can actually be verified.

If my parents talk to me, other people nearby can hear it.

So, now, how is your invisible, ineffable god like my parents?

Posted 3 years ago #
Teleprompter
Member

Donny, do you realize how ridiculous it sounds to hear people claim that aliens don't exist after spending so much time with them? It's also amusing to see people feel like they are too "smart" to believe in aliens.

Donny, do you realize how ridiculous it sounds to hear people claim that Bigfoot doesn't exist after spending so much time with him? It's also amusing to see people feel like they are too "smart" to believe in Bigfoot.

Donny, do you realize how ridiculous it sounds to hear people claim that there is not one God, Allah, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is not His Prophet after spending so much time with him? It's also amusing to see people feel like they are too "smart" to believe in Islam.

Donny, do you realize how ridiculous you sound to someone who has different beliefs that you do?

Lots of people claim direct experience for all kinds of beliefs. We have evidence that human perception is fallible and can mislead us.

Do you think all of the claims I mentioned are true?

How ridiculous is skepticism of my examples?

Now compare that to your example: why should I be skeptical of my examples, but not skeptical of your example?

Posted 3 years ago #
DonnyPauling
Member

You are free to be skeptical of whatever you wish to be skeptical of, dear Teleprompter. :)

Frank, you say I should be able to see your parents but I'm sitting here at my computer looking for them and I just don't see them. I think you're making them up. You claim other people have talked to them, but I haven't met these people and even if I had I'm not sure I can trust them. If your parents are real, they'll make themselves evident to me. Will you ask them to do that for me? And if you give me their number, how will I know it's not a trick of technology? We all know technology can do all sorts of crazy things.

Posted 3 years ago #
phrankygee
Member

No, I will not give you their number, because I don't want you to meet them.

So, why do you not want me to meet God?

Also, If my parents loved you and wanted a relationship with you, they would probably have introduced themselves. My parents do not know you exist, so they have not introduced themselves.

Why has God not introduced himself to me? Does he not know I exist, or does he just not care.

I have a relationship with my parents. You do not have one with God.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Phrankygee,

I can introduce you to my God by prayer
I can give you a map where they can be located through His spoken Word
Claims about my God can actually be verified through other believers
If my God talk to me, other people in the faith can hear the same message
So, my God is just like your parents.

Donny, I also spend great times with God. It's as real to me as our conversation right now. Keep your faith through the storms.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

Phranky,
I am curious, you stated that you were once a Christian believer turned atheist, but yet you ask this question:

Why has God not introduced himself to me? Does he not know I exist, or does he just not care.

So have you ever had communication with God? That is the Christian life. If not, I would like to know what your experience was? Was it simply a religious experience?

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

and Donny, I believe that you can be smart, dumb, poor, rich, black, white, etc, and understand and meet God. God does not discriminate. He made the gospel simple enough for even a child to understand.

Funny thing is, some people are too smart to figure it out.

Posted 3 years ago #
dwade
Member

I already caught some typos; sorry:

I can introduce you to my God by prayer
I can give you a map where He can be located through His spoken Word
Claims about my God can actually be verified through other believers
If my God talks to me, other people in the faith can hear the same message
So, my God, like your parents can be contacted.

Posted 3 years ago #

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