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From: hutch@shark.UUCP (Stephen Hutchison)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: response to anti-religious flame
Message-ID: <609@shark.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 10-Mar-84 03:34:17 EST
Article-I.D.: shark.609
Posted: Sat Mar 10 03:34:17 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Mar-84 07:48:20 EST
References: <7599@mgweed.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 47



| Anyone with a small particle of brain lodged in their skull can easily
| see that item #1 *wishes* [s]he were a Christian, whereas item #2
| really is.  Unfortunately, I think there are more item #1's around than
| item #2's, so it's not so hard to see why this partridge has a pear
| tree up his ass.   - Randy King

Well, actually, this is more complex than shown in that simple analysis.

Type number one has usually been a Christian for a fairly brief period of
time, or has been "raised" in a church where there is a very strong emphasis
on evangelism and not enough emphasis on the responsibilities of the
Christian.  One of these responsibilities is that when you assist in the
"spiritual rebirth" (<- quotes indica catchphrase, not sarcasm) then
you are responsible to see to it that you present the BEST knowledge of
who Jesus is, what the doctrines of Christianity are (major doctrines are
fairly constant across different denominations) and especially to present
the new Christian with the tools for further growth, specifically instruction
in how to pray, how to study the Bible (and how NOT to), and in several
other areas.  Unfortunately, there are churches which use the "glow" of
a recent conversion as part of their attempts to make new converts.

An important thing to realize is that evangelism HAS ITS PLACE, and that
it is often annoying and obnoxious, but that is because of the CURRENT
PREVAILING SOCIAL ATTITUDE, where such behavior is seen as bad manners.
In some other countries, and other cultures, such activity is seen as a
sign of a valid religious devotion and people listen, with interest, even
when they don't particularly choose to adopt a new belief.

Type number two is intended to represent the "nice Christian" who doesn't
annoy the public with such unpleasant, harsh topics as sin, death, and
redemption.  Well, it is very often a sign  of maturity to present the
Messiah in one's life and lifestyle.  On the other hand, it is also often
a sign of a Christian who was raised in the church, and believes through
habit, or of one who is afraid or ashamed of their belief.

It isn't as simple as Randy suggested.

Oh, and I have to apologise to Partridge (if that individual has bothered
to read this far) because I blew up on first seeing that ordurous missive
and sent a quite insulting and obnoxious reply via mail.  Others shamed me
with their forgiveness, and I would emulate their example if I could,
but the dratted thing has already gone out, so I hope a public admission
of my mistake will help lessen its impact in Partridges' eyes.

Hutch