Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site shark.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!tektronix!orca!shark!hutch 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