Hello Nick,
"John Reimer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hello BCS,
Reply to Christopher,
I sympathize with your dislike of proselytizing. If someone wants
to convert, they probably know where to get more information
on how to do so.
I agree that trying to *force* religion on anyone is wrong. However,
inviting someone to explore it (and that's all I saw) is not.
Perhaps the OP is getting a real kick out of this discussion already.
;-)
Here's my "little" analysis of the situation. It's full of
speculation and philosophizing and no proselytizing! ;) Coming from
me, most of you know what to expect, so take it or leave it. I tried
to be as circumspect as possible. :)
The OP was doing one of three things:
(1) was drunk and posted to the newsgroup in an unhappy state (Not a
joke!
This could happen)
(2) was an alias hijacker hoping to incite debate for "no good
reason" but
to watch some fireworks
(3) was trully seeking help
I thought the same things. But I'm a bit...weird...and also had a
fourth: (4) was in the middle of a failing stand-up comedy routine.
(hey, it could happen! ok, maybe not...)
Yeah, I guess there's always a few more options in there, eh? :)
Also, I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm going to have to take the
reference to methods of religious conversion as an opportunity to
point out the way that I..."found Jesus":
http://www.normalbobsmith.com/findjesus/ (I don't think it would be
offensive to anyone religious or otherwise, it seems good-natured
enough. Apologies if you are offended.) After all, it's not like I'll
ever find a more relevant opportunity to link to that on a programming
language newsgroup.
That link unfortunately demonstrates (perhaps accurately) how (non)seriously
the modern American Christian community is taken, especially in light of
modern television evangelism and the prosperity groups where pastors compete
for the largest congregations. It's become insipid, cheep, weak, and hypocritical.
While I'm sorry to see it represented this way and believe the truth behind
it is much more real than is demonstrated in many modern churches today,
I do understand why it would be lampooned this way.
Sorry I don't have anything more constructive (or at all constructive)
to add to this conversation... :(
I guess I'll survive. :)
-JJR
