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From: aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Proposal for net.religion subgroups
Message-ID: <1448@pucc-h>
Date: Tue, 6-Nov-84 05:14:22 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.1448
Posted: Tue Nov  6 05:14:22 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 7-Nov-84 08:08:12 EST
References: <187@hocsj.UUCP> <428@uwmacc.UUCP> <342@klipper.UUCP>, <228@pyuxd.UUCP>
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Rich Rosen, quoting an unknown person:

>> But the real reason for subgrouping net.religion is, that it is fatiguing
>> to have to defend the basics of your creed which you just want to assume to
>> be able to talk about the `details'.

> I guess some people would rather assume than "waste time" defending the basics
> of their creeds.

I think you're one of these people.  The basis of your creed (for lack of a
better word) is that just because there isn't physical evidence for something,
it doesn't exist or it didn't happen.  This is just an assumption, a rather
cynical one.

> Petty divisive isolationism only leads to 1) stagnation and reinforcement of
> beliefs without allowing for further analysis and (more importantly)
> 2) breeding grounds for intolerance that lead to terror, assassination, war,
> and death.

Perhaps "petty divisive isolationism" (pretty inflammatory language) would do
such a thing.  However, a Christian support group is for a purpose quite
opposite from stagnation; it is for the purpose of increasing the power and
strength of our Christian *living*.  However, things we discuss in such a group
would not make sense to anyone who had not shared the experience of being a
Christian -- e.g. how to surrender to God, get yourself out of the way, and
let His loving Spirit come through.  This is something that's hard enough for
a Christian to grasp, let alone an atheist.

But yes, members of any faith do need to talk about the details unhampered by
criticism.  That way, they will (we hope) become better able to handle the
criticism...not necessarily by splendid argument, but rather by showing God's
love and power unmistakably.