David T and Y'all: Do you mean it's against network policy to say "mysticism" on TV? I'm so busted. But seriously, I usually love your posts. I didn't really understand your George Carlin comparison. And dogmatic about mysticism? I didn't think it was possible to be certain about a mystery? The only point I was trying to make is that you intentionally glossed over an important distinction, the difference between religion and mysticism. Pirsig makes the distinction more than just a few times in Lila and ignoring that fact to make your points struck me as incorrect and a little dishonest. There's no doubt that religion and mysticism are related and intertwined. There is not a sharp line between the two in some cases. A liberal-minded, ecumenical, Unitarinan with a degree in philosophy is probably much closer to mysticism than he or she is to fundamentalism, for example. But to gloss over major distinctions like that is hardly different than lumping astrology in with astronomy or numerology with mathematics. There are important distinctions to be made if one is to think clearly. I'd like to suggest a book to suppliment your vacation bible school education. Its called "Mysticism: Its History and Challenge". It is essential an extension and expansion of William James' most famous work, "The Varieties of Religious Experience". I just started it a few days ago and am very impressed so far. The author is Bruno Borchert, a senior researcher on art and mysticism, taught theology in Holland and is a member of the mystical Carmelite Order. Daves of the world unite! MOQ Online Homepage - http://www.moq.org Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/ Unsubscribe - http://www.moq.org/md/index.html MD Queries - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
