It has been more than a year and a half since I shared my testimony with an Atheist who goes by the avatar “Arkenaten.” (Note: he was trying to make reference to an ancient Egyptian pharoah “Akhenaten,” but he spelled the name wrong. True story.)
Anyway, Ark has a reputation for asking leading questions over and over–to lure Christians into discussing the specifics of Old Testament archaeology, though it’s a subject even he isn’t qualified to tackle.
If I had a nickel for every time Ark posted a comment with the word “Moses” in it… (*rolls eyes)
For months, we tried in vain to keep Ark focused on the subject at hand, only to be sidetracked with questions about the Exodus and the Flood and “Tell me, what deep dark sin made you turn to Jesus?”
(Ick.)
But, despite regularly being frustrated by Ark, there was an evening in October of 2016 in which a supernatural ability to tolerate him swept over me. I felt led to demonstrate more patience than usual with the incorrigible, foul-mouthed troll.
I threw Arkenaten a bone.
Though he continued to ask all of the wrong questions, I gave him the answers I felt he needed, as gently and plainly as I knew how to give them.
I talked about darkness and hopelessness. I talked about God, the Source of Life an ancient civilization called “Yahweh,” but you can call “Frank” if you want.
And I talked about humans being dependent on Light, exactly the way plants are… or we will shrivel up and die.
Overall, it must have been a pretty memorable gift of words I gave, because he brings up my bought with depression literally every time he thinks of it… I suppose you could say it drives him crazy that I’m no longer crazy.
Even though I haven’t spoken directly to Ark for MONTHS, he still can’t get my testimony about God off his mind…
I know, because my dad sent this to me yesterday:
Lol.
I’m told Dad was talking with someone who doesn’t even know me (on a topic unrelated to suicide) when Ark jumped in with his insincere question.
It seems he’s still fighting against God (“Frank”), and giving up his mind in the process.
So, I got to thinking…
Maybe other Christians would want to read the original conversation about “Frank,” to see what all the fuss is about?
I mentioned I was being patient and “gentle, but maybe some readers would be surprised to see what I consider gentle. 🙂
Maybe some of you are worried you don’t have anything to say to rude, easily-distracted pagans demanding answers all the time.
Or maybe you’re in a dark, hopeless place yourself, and you’re looking for some encouragement.
I’ll include a few screenshots below, but you can read the entire conversation in the comment section of this blog post.
(Oh, and Profanity Warning! The heathen like naughty words, and I occassionally try to reach them by speaking their language.)
(Ark continued to ask me to demonstrate Frank/Yahweh’s existence. So after a few back-and-forth comments, I wrote:)
…And, after almost two years have passed, Ark is still starving himself spiritually…pretending he’s fine when it’s very obvious he isn’t.
Instead of humbling himself and asking for God’s help, Ark finds ways to bring ME and my depression into conversations that have nothing to do with me.
If he can’t be saved, then let him stand as an example of depravity. Let the God-Resisters be a warning to anyone who wants to stay sane. And let those who love darkness be encouragement for the Children of the Light.
Atheists are going crazy thinking about my story!…
All Glory be to Frank. 🙂