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From: gmk@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: A Good Example of Religious Toleranc
Message-ID: <57900001@uicsl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 17-Nov-84 13:44:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uicsl.57900001
Posted: Sat Nov 17 13:44:00 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Nov-84 03:25:35 EST
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Nf-From: uicsl!gmk    Nov 17 12:44:00 1984

From Jeff Sargent:

> /**** uicsl:net.religion / aeq@pucc-h / 12:05 am  Nov 17, 1984 ****/
> 
> I quickly saw that Christianity ... provided ... a guarantee
> that I was accepted and loved, no matter how badly I had sinned
> or failed to do good.
> This is so much better than anything else I've ever heard of
> that I would not want to be without it.
> It is so unlike most of the world's beliefs (apparently
> including ECK) as to render the likelihood of its truth much greater;

More accurately, the concept of automatic forgiveness was more appealing
to you than self-discipline and responsibility. I'm sorry Jeff, but
there are no free rides in this life. A heinous criminal who makes a
death bed conversion to Christianity, or any other religion, expecting
to be forgiven for his "sins" is in for a big surprise.

Even though you know nothing of ECK, you are partially correct in saying
that ECK does not guarantee forgiveness of "sins".  First of all,
there is no concept of sin in ECK--only karma.  "Bad" actions accumulate
negative karma whereas "good" actions accumulate positive karma.
Negative karma also comes back at you, boomerang-style, demanding
payment.  So, unlike Christianity, there is no way to instantly
erase your past.  But neither is one doomed to eternal damnation for
failing to get straightened out in a single lifetime. You always
get a second chance...and a third and a fourth.....As long as
you have a karmic deficit, the cycle of birth and death continues.

Me:
>> It seems that most people (including the most devout) inherit their faith
>> from their parents and are perfectly willing to accept it without question.

Jeff:
> Hmm....  I was not born into Christianity.  I was not exposed to any real
> Christian teachings until I was 15.

I knew I would get flak on this point. Aside from converts, like yourself,
and doubters, like myself, the vast majority of people practice the faith
of their parents--if only superficially.  I'm glad that you had the courage
to question the beliefs of your parents and went on to find a religion
with which you were comfortable--that answered your questions.  For me,
Christianity raised more questions than it answered; I found my answers
elsewhere.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Koob
...!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsg!gmk

"We go round and round and round and round
Until we pick it up again...
Carry round and round and round and round
Until it comes to carry you home"
			- Jon Anderson