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Re: GEPRUITT
I have stated many times in this column that I am on no kind of mission to "convert" others to my opinions. I have also stated that any one (including up to ALL) of my beliefs may be wrong and that each is constantly subject to modification. Additionally, I have also asserted, with conviction, that I will never ARGUE with ANYBODY about anything, especially about RELIGION, and on an OPINION post at that! If you are looking for a fight of any kind, be it physical or "intellectual," then you must look for someone else other than me. I simply WILL NOT engage you, although I am sure that plenty of other folks will be pleased to allow you to enjoy your fancy. Argueing, or debating, is a foolish waste of my time, and, once again, Sir, I will not do that. I consider it my responsibility to weigh and consider all objections to my beliefs, and whether you believe it or not, (I could not care less whether you believe me or not) I do exactly that. If you do not like the type music you hear on my channel, then simply tune across the band. If you cannot then find a channel you enjoy, then they must all be out of step with you. There is absolutely nothing I can do about that.
Now, once again, I hope we understand each other, and I sincerely mean it when I wish you a very pleasant day!
posted by
GEPRUITT
on August 7, 2007 at 11:10 AM
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GEPRUITT
Apropos you reply to my comment ; I take your point.
I can see that when one has an invincible conviction of the veracity of one's beliefs, religious or otherwise, then argument or debate about those beliefs is indeed pointless.
And in all fairness one can hardly expect the infallible believer to stoop to such debate with the merely fallible disbeliever.
posted by
ariel70
on August 7, 2007 at 4:57 AM
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Re: GEPRUITT
I think my reply to your comments are on record for all to see. As a reminder I will restate them here again for you: I 'thanked you for your comments, welcomed them all, and wished you a pleasant day.'
If you found reason to be in any way upset by my comments to yours, then I must conclude that is a problem of your own making. I stated my opinion in my post. You stated yours in your comments to my post. Arguing is a complete waste of my time, and I will have nothing to do with it. If you were disappointed that I did not argue with you, then disappointed you shall remain.
Now, once again, have a very pleasant day, Sir!
posted by
GEPRUITT
on August 5, 2007 at 2:27 AM
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GEPRUITT
How am I to construe the lack of a substantive reply/rebuttal to my comment?
It might appear to the cynic that you only reply to those who post comments favourable to you. But far be it from me to be a cynic.
posted by
ariel70
on August 4, 2007 at 3:16 PM
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Re: The status quo....
And so, sad to say, you are right. Thanks for your comment, Soul Builder.
posted by
GEPRUITT
on August 4, 2007 at 12:27 AM
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The status quo....
The status quo of priestcraft will be as they will. The crusades, the Inquisition , use of the bible with the sword for conversion and today's infringement of the rights of home-owners by crusading followers declaring 'you are sinners' on a Sunday....... all these say nothing for organized religion. The organization comes first. Christ's basic advice to ' pray to your father in silence behind closed doors" (my simplification) went unheeded as Organizations herded them into churches to ensure Filled collection plates/baskets!
posted by
Soul_Builder101
on August 3, 2007 at 5:10 PM
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Re: GEPRUITT - it is almost heart warming to read a post such as this
Thank you, Gomedome, for your, as usual, well-thouhgt-out, and, in my opinion, correct analysis. We have gone so far afield that I honestly think that, even if Jesus were to finally "come again," 'Orthodox' Christians would be among the very last to recognize him!
Have a great day, Gome, and thanks again.
posted by
GEPRUITT
on August 2, 2007 at 4:28 PM
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GEPRUITT - it is almost heart warming to read a post such as this
At the very least it is encouraging. There has historically always been a disconnect between organized religion (of all denominations) and the inevitable progress of social reform. As you allude to in this post, in an effort to maintain uniform eternal truths, organized religion has also been guilty of impeding progress in the areas of scientific discovery and many other fields of endeavor. In the modern age we are faced with much the same problems of religious constructs impeding knowledge and discovery but with two distinct differences specific to our era in history. The growth of our collective knowledge has accelerated in recent decades and continues to expand exponentially, while at the same time; the religious constructs of mankind have "matured" to a point where they are barely recognizable from their original precepts. I just cannot imagine Jesus condoning any of the uses of his name that you mention in this post.
For the longest time I have believed that modern day religion is at a point in our development as a species where it must overhaul itself or face inevitable redundancy.
posted by
gomedome
on August 2, 2007 at 1:46 PM
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Re: GEPRUITT
Thanks for your comments. I welcome them all. Have a pleasant day.
posted by
GEPRUITT
on August 2, 2007 at 12:13 PM
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GEPRUITT
I am somewhat puzzled : I quote ...
" Christianity has literally thousands of separate denominations, ..."
Does the above statement no make absolute nonsense of your constant references to " the church", " your church" etc?
How on earth can the strictures that you apply to " the church" apply to ALL the Christian churches?
Your American churches may well have been/still are as you describe, and one would have to agree that their British and European counterparts were historically backward and repressive.
But your views are clearly in need of some radical revision, my friend, for you are obviously unaware that the leaders of the British congregation of the Anglican Church have for long been in the very vanguard of left/liberal social awareness. Of the limp-wristed, soft-headed variety, I mean.
The Anglican Church ( in Britain that is ) has become a mere arm of social services : obsessed with human rights and welfare in this world, while preaching hardly a word of their true purpose ; the salvation of souls and the life beyond this one.
When one reads of an Anglican archbishop stating that, well, the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection didn't really occur ... one can be sure that the congregation that he " leads" is no real church.
The greatest, and most tragic and fatal destruction of our priceless Christian heritage has been more perpetrated by such deluded fools as the one cited above than by any atheist or agnostic.
I have lost count of the number of times that I, an atheist, have castigated Christians, both in here and in other venues for their wholesale undermining and destruction of what should be timeless values, simply for convenience or to suit changed social conditions.
It sometimes appears to me that the only true Christian in this world right now is the new pope ; which is why he is hated so much by so many people.
Their corrupted consciences can no longer bear to heed a man who preaches that religon is tough, and isn't meant to make you happy or comfortable.
I seem to recall that another guy said much the same thing, about two thousand years ago. And look what happened to him.
posted by
ariel70
on August 2, 2007 at 7:03 AM
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