I dunno, Wesley S., when I say this is not a good place for preaching, I am being inspired by such interesting items as your statement, " I don't believe in hell - I don't think God gives up on us. That's ascribing human traits to God - and I don't think that works."

Yet Slag clearly does believe in Hell...and he has more history and shared belief for his view than you do for yours! Now...why isn't he right? Why do you get to just *shrug* and dis-believe in Hell?
This is why discussion is one thing, but flat statements couched in absolute, flowery language like Slag just used is quite another. He is simply stating that both you & I are wrong....me, more than you obviously...but wrong, nevertheless.
What good can such language do in a forum like this? It is meant for situations where a group OF believers is gathered, as in a conservative church where everyone accepts the preacher's word, and the preacher is simply reminding the congregation, in graphic detail, of what they all have agreed to.

   Saying I can "choose not to open" a thread like this is true, of course, but trivially true, since it is like the proverbial "red flag in front of a bull" ...someone is GOING to respond. There is no reason for religious 'witnessing' except to challenge others to look at and ultimately, accept, your viwepoint. If someone wants religious support and to share the fervor & intensity of their religious beliefs, there are many places, both RT & virtual to find this. WYSIWYG often notes places for 'prayer chains' and other Christian help....but has refrained from DOING the praying here in the threads....and I have no problem with that!

   Simply...it is one thing to make it clear that one is a believer in a particular faith...and quite another to explicitly assert that all those who do not agree are damned. THAT is just begging for reaction.