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From: tld@ssc-vax.UUCP (Thomas L Davis)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Proselytizing on the net
Message-ID: <874@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 3-Mar-84 22:33:03 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.874
Posted: Sat Mar  3 22:33:03 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 4-Mar-84 09:14:33 EST
References: <1524@stolaf.UUCP>
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 37


	Therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of
	the Lord." When I came to you, bretheren, I did not come
	proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or
	wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except
	Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Cor. 1:31-2:2 (RSV).

I have been accused of proselytizing on this net. I deny that most
vehemently. If anyone out there is a Methodist or Baptist or
Lutheran, it is not my intent to entice you into the the Episcopal
Church, and that is the meaning of proselytizing. What I have been
guilty of, and like Pres. Reagan I will wear this accusation like
a crown, is evangelizing, speading the Gospel, the "Good News."

There seem to be those on this net who wish only to engage in
"mental Onanism." They are free with critical comments, but not
willing to hear defense or apologies for a given point of view.
If this net is to be a free and meaningful exhange medium, then it
must be open to all varieties of expression. I find many of the
views expressed here to be distasteful and frequently obnoxious.
I try to respond in an orderly and civilized manner without
attacking the person, only the subject matter. When I err, or
waiver from this path, I expect correction. But I do not expect
vilification for the statement of deeply held religious
convictions.

There seem to be those here who are so insecure in their being,
that they feel they must apologize for their very existence, for
every breath that they take. To those I would say "God loves you,
even in your sin, regardless of your opinion of belief in Him."
No one needs to be ashamed or to be in fear of the Lord. "He loved
us, even when we were in sin."

And to Bill Culley, thanks for the nice words.

	Tom Davis
	uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tld