From: ata@hfsi.uucp (John Ata - FSO)
Subject: Re: Will the -REAL- Christians please stand up? Was: What did Judas betray?
Reply-To: ata@hfsi.UUCP (John Ata - FSO)
Organization: HFSI, McLean VA.
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 22:42:54 GMT

In article <1992Dec31.010125.21864@fsl.noaa.gov> bear@kestrel.fsl.noaa.gov (Bear Giles) writes:
>In article <1992Dec30.052800.4534@hfsi.uucp> ata@hfsi.UUCP (John Ata - FSO) writes:
>>But yes, there
>>usually is a distinction made between adult baptism and infant
>>baptism.  The former does go through a rather rigorous process or
>>preparation, but the latter does not (the parents and godparents
>>take the responsibility of preparing the child) But later on, the
>>grown adult can make up its own mind and renounce its faith if it
> ^^^^^^^^^^^             ^^^                       ^^^          ^^
>>so chooses. 
>
>I'm speechless.
>
>In English, refering to an adult as _IT_ is considered extremely rude
>because it implies that the person being discussed is no more intelligent
>than a piece of furniture.  Many people even refer to their pets by
>HE and SHE instead of IT.

Sorry, I sometimes think in gender neutral terms.  If that offends you,
please substitutute he/she (which is harder to type).  Also, please note
that the three times I mentioned "it" were not necessarily aimed at
non-Christian.  If you open your eyes and really read what I said, you will
see that I was talking about any grown adult who had been baptized and
confirmed, not one who necessarily renounces their faith (note the use
of the word "can").

>
>The thought of an adult leaving the "Body of Christ" is so unacceptable
>that you called me _IT_ three times!

Now I'm speechless! :( It seems to me that if the most someone can
say about someone's posting is that they rudely used the word "it"
rather than "he/she", and from there go on make statements about
the person, then the conversation really hasn't much life left.
Truly, one does wonder, however, how *you* ever enter into a
rational discourse with anyone who disagrees with your point of
view.

>
>I feel that this illustrates your opinion of non-Christians quite well...
>Of course, it is precisely this type of belief ("if you aren't a Christian
>you're sub-human") that I left the Christian church.

Of course, the question that comes to my mind is how you came to
be of the opinion that other Christians came to have a low esteem
for non-Christians.  This posting really does make me wonder.

>
>Oh, your "the parents and godparents take the responsibility of preparing
>the child" sounds rather like brainwashing.  The parents and godparents
>should _educate_ the child, not _prepare_ the child.
>
>Thank you for a most enlightening illustration of Christian thought!

Obviously, you've never heard of a Prep School.  Prep is short for
Prepatory (Usually college).

Well, I don't know what experiences you've had with Christians in
the past, but it really sounds like you a little quick on taking
the offense (no pun intended) here.  My advice to you is to:
Chill.

You're welcome.

>
>
>Bear Giles





-- 
John G. Ata - Technical Consultant | Internet:  ata@hfsi.com
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