From: 910773f@axe.acadiau.ca (HEATHER LEE FYFFE)
Subject: Ok, truce?
Organization: Acadia University
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 01:47:38 GMT

Ok, I've posted a few things meant to be challenging yet inspirational.  I 
have tried to show that I am intelligent and compassionate without seeming 
pompous and conceited.  I seem to have failed at this quite miserably.  
Therefore, I would like to make just a few points.

Yes, I am a Christian.  No, I am not a Bible-basher.  If I seem to be, then 
I apologize and accept your flames, and I will try to better myself.

I did not try to imply that all atheists are me-ists.  I got going about me-
ism (which, by the way, IS rampant in NA, as seen by certain best-selling 
books which I STUPIDLY have forgotten the titles of but I will get back to 
you... anyway...), and I still hold to what I said about the negative 
aspects of selfish me-ism.  It is possible to be an atheist without being a 
me-ist.  I can see that many of you do care about the world and it's 
people.  However, it is also obvious that there _are_ some of you who don'
t... there are people like that in all religions as well, including 
Christianity.

By no means do I agree with `fundies' who yell and scream at atheists, 
trying to force them to convert.  Nor do I agree with churches that 
restrict their member's contact with the `outside world'and all that 
other stuff that's been discussed.  That is counterproductive and, yes, 
brainwashing.  There are many `Christians' who have no idea what they're 
doing, who stopped thinking long ago.  I don't believe that I am one of 
these, though I am finding that I do have some dogmatic material in my head 
that may not be correct - however, it may be, so I'm looking into it some 
more, logically and rationally.

Yes, I do have a sense of humour (what?  impossible!)  I find many of the 
postings here (those intended to be humourous) quite funny indeed!  I've 
printed out the BOB thing and am going to share it with my Christian 
friends, who I'm sure will also find it funny.  We can laugh at ourselves.  
If you can't laugh at yourself, then you should take a close look at what 
you think you're doing...

This newsnet is not a decent forum for serious discussions.  They are too 
often interrupted by flames and sarcastic answers.  While these have their 
place and are often called for, they are annoying to anyone trying to make a 
serious point.  For example, someone says something, but doesn't say it 
clearly.  Instead of getting a chance to restate what they were trying to 
say, which was possibly very valid or interesting or thought-provoking or 
whatever, they are flamed to death.  Out of embarassment, the flamee doesn't 
bother to try again, and their insight is lost.

I do thank those people considerate enough of flames who responded to me via 
e-mail.  I can't possibly get back to all of you personally, though I did 
try to answer a few.  Hopefully we can continue with rational discussions 
and maybe even (*gasp* oh no) become friends.

There are some more points I would like to bring up, but not right now, the 
computer lab is about to close.  In the future, I shall try to keep my posts 
less biting and generalistic and insinuating, and more realistic and open 
(whatever that means).  If, at any time, you find that I'm stepping out of 
line (though do take into consideration that I am, after all, a Christian), 
then please, flame me, until I learn how to say what I mean without 
insulting anybody.

On that same note, if anyone has any comments about anything I've written - 
serious or sarcastic - then post them, or write to me.  I can't reply to 
everything, but I promise I do read it all, and I do think about all of it.

Ok, just a few brief points in closing, to save you the bother of asking.

I don't approve of homosexuality.  However, I don't hate gays.  One of my 
best friends is a bisexual.  ( I don't have many friends who are gay, not 
because I am avoiding them, but because I just haven't met many.)

I don't approve of circumcision.  It was, in the OT, a demonstration of a 
pact between God and (I believe) Abraham.  I don't think that anywhere does 
it say that all boys must still be circumcised.

I don't approve of a great deal of the ritual and elitism of the Catholic 
church.  I ask you to remember that not all denominations, not all of 
Christianity, is structured like the Catholic church, as some of you 
sometimes imply.

I frelly acknowledge that a great many of Christian traditions stem from 
ancient Pagan rituals.  For example, the Christmas tree, Dec. 25, etc.  I 
celebrate these traditions, out of conformity and tradition I guess, but by 
no means do they `make' the religion.  I would be just as happy not to have 
a Christmas tree, it is completely unnecessary to the celebration of his 
birth.  Christmas trees and wreaths in churches I find quite silly.  I do 
not worship the tree or the traditions.

I believe in that truth-type #1 somebody described.  I will not forcibly 
state that the truth as I believe it is undoubtedly that Truth.  However, 
that does not change the fact that there _can_ only be one Truth, by its 
very nature, whatever it is.  If the Truth is that there are many little 
truths, then that is still the Truth.

Ok, that's it for me for now, have a blast.

Buzzard