Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ssc-vax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tld 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