Poirot's probably right. Either that or it was an OLO email alert saying that David had posted a comment.

As an IT expert, though, who works in the IT industry (and an atheist who understands what the motivations of an organisation such as the AFA would be, and someone who understands how OLO's Graham works regarding the handing out of emails, etc.), I'd have to say that this recent development is both amusing and disheartening.

Amusing because it would take quite a computer-illiterate dope to actually think that something like this could happen without one's browser and/or security software ringing alarm bells every time you visited either OLO or the AFA's website. Which makes me suspect that this is just a desperate and deliberate smear.

And disheartening because it shows how conspiratorial and just downright irrational some can be. David Nichols receives quite a beating from even those who are fellow atheists (and fence-sitters who don't realise they're atheists too) on OLO, and while I may not agree with him, or his way of going about things, 100% of the time, to think that he, or the organisation for which he is president, would actually hack OLO to get emails to spam (as OzSpen had implied) just goes to show what a fantasy some live in.

On the contrary, it is actually theistic organisations who are guilty of this sort of devious behaviour. The false DMCA claims and the creationist votebots that atheistic YouTubers have been the constant victims of over the past few years are classic examples.

As the Internet has helped to demonstrate, it is theists who are the only one's desperate enough to resort to dodgy/criminal activity on the web because they have nothing to support their claims, forcing them to resort to cowardly and desperate censorship tactics.

AJ Philips,

I freely confess to being a completely computer -illiterate dope. My 4 year old grandchild understands them better than myself. I also recently bought my first simplest available mobile phone,which the salesman kindly set up for me. Not sure how to make that work properly either. Electronic communication may be easy for someone like yourself, but we're not all whizz kids. I don't even know what hacking is [but by tomorrow I will], so why would I suggest that happened.

Also why do you imagine I would post a "desperate and deliberate smear" against David? What could I or anyone else hope to gain from that? I don't know the guy, and even if I did I would respect that he's entitled to his opinions - some of which funnily enough,I happen to share. It is also obvious that David can give as good as he gets, and he would have to agree this thread has certainly empowered him to put across his point of view too.

While we are looking for a physical being as God we have missed the point. God cannot be identified by the physical sciences. God is the Spirit behind being. God is Spirit [unseen], expressed in attitude, character, motive, behaviour. Jesus declared the character of God - made God known. God is not a visual being; God is Spirit who gives loving passion and pure motive to living. Such values are seen in the life of Jesus which identifies him as expressing the very nature of God.

It is true many can only worship the physical person for their looks or achievements and not recognise the spirit of the person.
Christmas is looking for the enlightenment of spirit - the recognition of the worthy character of God.

>>>Have you a point to make?

Yes, the point was that even hardened skeptics who do no accept that Jesus is God admit quite readily admit that He existed, and that the NT is a reliable attestation of that fact. While Einstein did not convert, the light that he did have told him that Jesus was the genuine article and His testimony in the NT is reliable. Read what he said:

"Unquestionably. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life."

No myth is filled with such life, he said. The entire premise of your argument is refuted by people who never believed that Jesus is God. Your assertion that Jesus is a myth and the NT is unreliable is exposed as completely unreasonable by people with no dog in this fight.

>>>Over a billion people follow the words of Muhammad and they >>>influenced civilizations also. By your logic, they must be right. >>>Can you explain that discrepancy thanks?

There is no comparison. The influence that Jesus has had outstrips by orders of magnitude the influence of Islam. Islam may have numbers, but the point remains; no dime a dozen religion personality could have had the influence Jesus has. Your mischaracterization of Jesus as such is truly inexcusable.

>>>And, what is your answer to my question?

David, I gave you the answer to this question; could you please respond to it?:

Jesus Himself offered to prove His existence to anyone who would open the door to Him:

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

There are two kinds of skeptics. An honest skeptic and a dishonest skeptic. An honest skeptic is someone who doesn't know but is willing to find out. A dishonest skeptic is someone who doesn't know and doesn't want to know. Which are you? Would you be willing to sign your name to this statement?:

God, I don't know if you exist or not. I don't know if the bible is your word or not. I don't know if Jesus Christ is your Son or not, but I want to know, and because I want to know I will make an honest investigation, and because it is an honest investigation I will follow the results of that investigation where ever they lead me, regardless of the cost.

If you are willing to sign off on it, then your assignment is to read the gospel of John. The purpose of the gospel of John is stated thusly:

John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

It was written specifically so that you believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you would have life in His name. Although you don't now believe, you can say to God..God I don't know if this is your word of not, but if this is your word, show me. I'll make up my mind before the fact that I will obey you only if you show me this is your word and speak to my heart.

Would you be willing to do that?

David,

Aside from our conversation, I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. God bless.