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From: pez@pyuxn.UUCP (Paul Zimmerman)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.religion.christian
Subject: How come God doesn't affect Dave?
Message-ID: <326@pyuxn.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 5-Sep-85 08:42:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxn.326
Posted: Thu Sep  5 08:42:12 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 6-Sep-85 05:30:57 EDT
References: <305@pyuxn.UUCP> <630@ihu1m.UUCP> <309@pyuxn.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway, N.J.
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Xref: watmath net.religion:7537 net.religion.christian:1217

Dave,
	 Your analysis that I must have some irrational fear of death is as
naive as you speculated it might be. I don't think that a person who engages
in activities like skydiving could be said to have an irrational fear of
death. I recognize that I am going to die someday. But I also recognize that
while I continue to live there is an evil pig monster Damager-God who enjoys
harming people and making mincemeat of out efforts to build and create. When
I go skydiving, I do so realizing that God could do me harm at any moment.
Why do I do it? Because by beating Him at His own game, by taking the
necessary precautions and the extra care to watch out for His meddling
interference, I gain a modicum of pride and satisfaction in showing the
Damager-God that He is not so all powerful as He would like His sheep to
believe.

	I don't mean to call you a liar, Dave, but no one has lived a life
of sufficient length and not experienced tragedy or suffering.  When you
say that no such things have ever befallen you, I have to question your
claim that you've had ``a really great time for most all of [your] life.''
I must admit I admire the way you speak in defiance of Him, as if daring Him
to slit your throat as you speak. I hope you realize that for Him to do
something horrible to someone who speaks out vocally against Him may be seen
as proof of His evil, even to the most sheepish of His followers.  For this
reason, I believe He will purposely not do this sort of thing, thus not only
preventing this sort of defection but also appearing to discredit people who
speak out against Him in the process.

	I find it upsetting that so many people like Dan Boscovich and
now Dave Trissel must find some ``flaw'' in my character or personality to
account for my beliefs about God. No one has made claims about character
flaws in them or in other God whorshipers resulting in their beliefs. In my
heart, I know it is the work of the evil God damaging their minds that causes
this sort of thing. I hope we are able to get past that damage and find the
kernel of solid mind through which we will all share in a world without the
Damager-God.

Be well,
-- 
Paul Zimmerman - AT&T Bell Laboratories
pyuxn!pez