They probably would say that. On the other hand, they seemed to be looking for excuses to remain non-denominational and/or anti-Adventist too. (This was the kind that came looking to push their agenda...I started out just answering their questions.)

However, I have had some very good Christian friends too. I worked for a man once who was not an Adventist, but who always respected my Sabbaths enough to let me leave work early Friday, and never expected to see me on Saturday, even though his work continued. We discussed Bible issues from time to time at work, but only very superficially and casually. I didn't push it. One day, he surprised me as it was getting along toward four o'clock on a Friday and I was still at work (the sun did not set for a few hours yet). He knew I usually got off earlier on Friday. He asked me if I was getting into trouble...and he was very serious! He did not want me to break my Sabbath!

Though he was a very thoughtful and Christian man, he never appeared interested in real Bible study. I have since sent him a Great Controversy, but have no idea if he is reading it or not. I haven't seen him in years.

These are the type of "traditional Christians" that seem too complacent with their present state of knowledge. He was a wonderful man. We got along very well. I respected his gentlemanliness. But perhaps I was not pushy enough to prick his interest in deeper Bible study.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Most, or even all, of us would be seen as having a pet agenda to push in these discussions. We can see this on this maritime forum for instance. If one or both parts has as a pet agenda that the other part change beliefs from their "false understanding" and come to the "truth", then certainly much debate can come out of it. And if someone harbors the opinion that "anyone who cannot see what is so obvious and beyond question to me cannot possibly be interested in the bible or a bible student", then it would indeed be difficult to find persons interested in the bible outside of those who already agree with what this person thinks him/herself. Of course I do not know if this even remotely describes you Greenie, though your previous comment that "if they did study more, we would have more Adventists" make me wonder.

This good friend of yours, I wonder if he went to sunday school or to other biblestudy oportunities in his church?

"too complacent".

i cant say ive met many of those. most i know have bible studies quite regularly, but they are not interested in me coming into their life and taking over their learning. they want to learn for themselves and not be told what to think and believe. as long as i respect that we get along fine. but sometimes they have to "put me in my place".

Could we here be confusing "taking time for biblestudy" with "being obnoxious about other peoples biblestudy or lack thereoff"? The first you would not know about unless you knew the person well enough to be able to talk about anything. The second you would notice, but seldom in any other connection than with trying to push their foot out of between your door and the doorpost (alternatively having someone else trying to push your foot out of said door, depending on which side of the issue you happen to be on), or when being stopped while en route to something important while walking through town.

Teresas friends aswell as most other christians would be in the first category IMO.

im not real sure i understood the second part.

I am making the assumption that your friends are not the kind of people that others consider moving to gated communities in order to not meet them.

well, actually its from newly met people to long and deep friendships, from the "big, bad, biker" types to the most humble, gentle, (who is my best friend).

i understand bars can have some deep religious discussions. i know ive met a couple of people who were high on marijuana giving bible lessons to their company. that was interesting to watch.

still not sure what point you were making, and if i went off on a different tangent.

The second point cannot be understood apart from the first, does not exists apart from the first, so in some way any trying to understanding it apart from the first is a different tangent.