Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84 chuqui version 1.7 9/23/84; site nsc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!sun!idi!nsc!chuqui From: chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Cheshire Chuqui) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: A Good Example of Religious Tolerance! Message-ID: <1876@nsc.UUCP> Date: Mon, 19-Nov-84 16:33:27 EST Article-I.D.: nsc.1876 Posted: Mon Nov 19 16:33:27 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Nov-84 07:28:07 EST References: <732@ihuxj.UUCP> <285@bonnie.UUCP> <> Reply-To: chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Cheshire Chuqui) Organization: The Bistro Lines: 54 Summary: In article <467@uwmacc.UUCP> dubois@uwmacc.UUCP (Paul DuBois) writes: >Non-christians, a question: many of you have expressed a desire >that we should shut up or go away, or quit "preaching", etc. Larry >Bickford has observed, accurately I believe, that most of the articles >submitted by Christians are submitted on topics in which an anti- >Christian comment was made; we do not normally just get up and >say "everyone who doesn't agree with me goes to Hell", just to get >up and proclaim how great Christianity is. But as the discussion >progresses, and Christians say what they believe, then all of a >sudden, we're "preaching", "proselytiziing", trying to "convert" >people. Well, maybe we are. So what? What do you want? Sterile >discussions all predicated on the notion, "here's what I believe. >It's no better or worse than what you believe. We should tell each >other what we believe, but we won't try to convince anyone that >they ought to believe it, too." No, thanks. Religious beliefs, >by their very nature, tend to affect how people live. If the beliefs >that affect your life aren't worth propagating, they aren't worth >holding personally. A major problem I have with these discussions as a non-christian is the lack of flexibility in the discussions by many of the participants. Many discussions seem to quickly degenerated into 'I'm right-- I have God on my side and you're going to Hell.' There is a fine line between explaining your position to me and telling me what my position is (~you can't be right-- you aren't a {christian/jew/zen druid}!~). I'm interested in hearing the Christian viewpoint. I'm interested in hearing the Jewish viewpoint. I'm interested in discussing the viewpoint from my perspectives as a Zen Druid. I'm not interested in constantly hearing why, as a Zen Druid, I'm going to go to Hell because I turned my back on a man who may or may not have existed, may or may not have been the Son of God, and may or may not be the saviour of mankind (and womankind). The perspectives of my religion allow your God(s) to coexist with mine-- I just wish that some of the more conservative members of the various religions out there would allow me the same freedom to serve God as I see fit without feeling persecuted. I have never (and will never) attempt to tell you that the only way to God is through growing living things and staring at your navel. All I really ask is you don't assume that the only way to God is through the Christian, Jewish, or any other pantheons. I tried it, and it didn't work for me. What I have now does, and I rejoice in it, but it probably won't work for you because you are different. If you look very closely at Christianity you'll see that every person has a different view of what it really means-- that diversity within a single framework should show you that there are equally valid views outside that framework as well. chuq please, -- From the Department of Bistromatics: Chuq Von Rospach {cbosgd,decwrl,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo}!nsc!chuqui nsc!chuqui@decwrl.ARPA This plane is equipped with 4 emergency exits, at the front and back of the plane and two above the wings. Please note that the plane will be travelling at an average altitude of 31,000 feet, so any use of these exits in an emergency situation will most likely be futile.