You've once again crammed a lot of words into a small idea: That your self-righteous superior knowledge of the mysteries of the universe entitle you to unprovokedly and repeatedly personally criticize those who believe differently. If you'll review the previous posts you'll realize that there has been no defending of any opposing view with "firebrands" or otherwise. There has also been no "vigorous assertion of the validity of views" by anyone but yourself, which is ironically and hypocritically detailed in the e-mail this is in response to. The "opposition" has instead repeatedly asked you and others who have disrespectfully polluted this listserve with their personal regligious criticism to stop their single and narrow-minded bashing and keep it to yourselves. I have personally offered anyone with specific questions as to how Christian science explains things to ask, and I'll gladly explain as best I can, or research it- OFF LINE. If you really want to convince me of something, that would be to stump me with one of these questions. I have yet to have one. You say "when challenged they become irrate...". Using under-researched and grossly simplied historical analogies isn't a challenge, it's an immature attack.
It's not a case of thin skin, it's a choice of who/what I want to surround myself with. I generally don't purposefully subject myself to the company of people you've proven yourself to be (in this capacity anyhow). That is NOT what I have chosen to be on this listserve for. If not for Fritz and Nico's responses, I would have removed myself from the listserve already, but for their sake and others like them, I'd prefer to remain. If you continue to force your hostilities and unwarranted criticisms, I'll be convinced this was an unwise decision. If you can't wrap your mind around this simple social concept of mutual respect, then I suggest you, Gill and others like you can meet separately where you can stare into eachothers eyes, dwell on your preconcieved notions, unchallengeably bad-mouth others without ever asking questions or seeking alternate views, and congratulating eachother for how brilliant you are. Sounds like an enlightening time. To summarize the options and their consequences: 1. Grow up (which will be a challenge) 2. Leave (which will hurt your pride) 3. Continue your OT self-righteous crusade (I'll leave which will turn this listserve into a clique- which was never intended) I apologize that this topic is contributiong to filling up e-mails here still, but I WILL NOT stand to let this antagonistic trash continue to be unsuspectingly dropped into my inbox. "*The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.* " - F. Scott Fitzgerald -B On 7/10/08, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > > I apologize, when I used the phrase "illusory forms of religion" I was > being redundant. I'll tell you what is illusory, the idea that certain > topics are not going to be discussed when a diverse group of presumably > intelligent people gather around the computerized campfire. > > I made a harmless wisecrack about new age beliefs and now those with thin > skins and thick skulls are up in arms with pitchforks and fire brands. I'm > just glad the old Hippie chicks aren't mad at me, but most of them are too > bright to take the bait! > > If you insist we can loop back like Ediger with 3000 feet of track. As an > acolyte of Oztotl I'm here to tell you that religion and caves go together > like virgins and sacrifice. > > Everybody agrees that everybody can be divided into two groups (us and > them), so here is the experiment: All you need is a big dark hole full of > the unknown (frequently known as caves). Into this void some will seek to > explore and illuminate. Those would be called scientists. Others peer in to > the same dark hole and project their fears and confusion. In their ignorance > they imagine inexplicable monsters within that must be appeased so they > chuck in a few more virgins. Oftentimes they feel bad about that, so they > feel compelled to vigorously assert the validity of their views. If > challenged they become irate and are soon burning people at the stake and > marching toward Jerusalem. Meanwhile the hole continues to be dark and > empty. > > Now back to music in caves. The best I've ever heard was the time I went to > Fantastic pit in Ellison's cave, 586 feet of fabulous acoustics! I was with > group of people from TAG that I didn't know. Imagine my surprise when > several revealed themselves to be Broadway song and dance geeks by singing > hits that reverberated up and down the pit! If I ever go back I plan to take > a boom box and play Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries! But come to think of it, > wouldn't it be more appropriate to play that while plummeting into the abyss > of Valhalla? > > Sleaze > > >
