Hi Victor-I understand that you had a liberal experience of Xtianity but of all the
various sects of it(apart from Jehovah's Witnesses), (there may be others I don't know
about)the belief in Jesus' death as a sacrifice to God and as a payment for our sins is
central to it. If it isn't it isn't Xtianity. Getting to 'heaven' is about believing
that.It is a core belief of Xtians.
IF Xtians did indeed think the way you do, in the majority, the world would be a very
different place. There are millions who think the way Reagan is supposed to think.
Your remarks about what I said regarding Jesus' suffering are warranted, of course. I
did
not explain myself properly. No, suffering is suffering. However, I do consider the
suffering of chuildren to be the most damaging, not just to the children, but to the
rest
of us.
The Xtians I know and grew with all hold up Jesus' suffering as something above and
beyond
human suffering. that i object to. Noit least becausae he was a human. Also he was well
loved and cared for growing up. And, I think importantly, he CHOSE his suffering. As
adults do every day when they decide to stand up for what is right.
This suffering is NOT the same as those people, especially children, who suffer.
To me magical thinking is believing that one can escape the consequences of ones
actions.
This is how I understand it is used in a psychological sense.
I don't disagree with your understanding of that word and agree that the world would be
most sad if we didn't have magical dreams and imagination in the way I take you to
mean.
