From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Subject: Re: SLOW DOWN !!
Date: 28 Jul 92 14:07:30 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: SPSS Inc.

Steve.Gross@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Steve Gross) writes:

>In every article posted on this group concerning my original post that
>HOMOSEXUALS ANYWHERE ARE WRONG, there has been nothing but arguing and
>bickering.  We are acting like little children.  I am sorry now I even
>posted the thing.
We are hardly acting like 'little children.'  We're trying to carry on a 
discussion about a posting that you made.  Asking you questions, and
pointing out inconsistancies in your arguemnts is not 'acting like little 
children.'  Granted, there are those who do make snide or flip remarks, but
that's life on the net.

As for being sorry you posted, that may well be true.  But welcome to the
net...freewheeling discussion is the usual mode...

>A few days ago, I was reading the group, and noticed a woman who rebuked
>us all for this same thing.  What will people who are not christians think
>of all this arguing?  
Guess what?  It's been going on since the beginning.  Paul and Peter
*loathed* each other!  They had violent disagreements on the direction of
the church.  And what about the Arians?  Etc.  Read some history of
Christianity.  Just where did all these denominations come from?  Yep,
disagreements between Christians...

>Whatever happened to the verse in Phillipians which says whatsoever things 
>are good, whatsoever things are just,... .  What are we doing here?  I feel 
>ashamed that I even wrote the silly post.  It was only my opinion.  And 
>also in my opinion out of the Bible.  Whether or not it is or not, is now 
>becomming irrelevant.
The point is that you formed an arguement based on one particular point in
the Bible.  I tried to point out that there are other verses which you
seemed to be ignoring.  You have to take the whole thing as a package, not
pick and chose what you want.  Sure, certains 'sins' are condemned.  But
that doesn't make them any worse than others.  All sin is bad...and
Christians all sin...

>We have people talking about apes, and hashing out the same arguments in
>post after post after post, only worded differently.  "If you blame
>homosexuals, then you are a sinner too for being judgemental,"   or
>how about this one.   "There is no proof that god is not a homosexual."
>Come on now!!  This has gone far enough.  I respect all of your different
>opinions, whether contrary to my own or not.  But, THIS IS NOT A GOOD
>THING TO BE DOING !!
You may not think it is a good thing, but some of us value highly this 
freewheeling discussion.  If you're going to be easily offended, stay off
the net!  In other words, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the
kitchen!  The way the net is, this is just a fact of life.  You won't be
able to change it.

The net is fantastic...it's not censored (generally) nor controlled
(usually).  It allows for any one to get up, state their case and make a
complete fool of themselves.  I've done it, I ought to know...

>Would God in any form look on all this bickering favorably?  NO.  I regret
>sincerely the trouble I have caused by bringing this obviously sensitive
>matter into the open here.  Let me then, put your minds on a different
>task.  Answer for me this question please if you can.
You haven't caused any trouble...you just jumped into a world-wide
discussion group with a singular point of view, and were rebuked and didn't
like it.  Guess what?  We like it!

>1)  Do sins compound themselves?  i.e.  if you commit one sin, is it
>    easier to commit the next, and so on.
Sure...and this is demonstrated by the Bible...Genesis, Exodus, Josuha, 
Judges, Kings, etc.  Sin becomes greater and greater, until God takes
drastic action...banishment from the Garden, the flood, Sodom & Gomorrah, 
the captivity in Egypt, the captivity in Babylon, the destruction of
Jerusalem, etc.

>2)  What is the blaringly obvious link of prayer to #1 above?  Should
>    we pray constantly for forgiveness?  For the mind of God?  
"If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our
sins, and purify us from all unrightousness."  (I John 1:8-9).  "That if you 
confess that 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him 
from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)  [NIV]

>3)  How often should we pray, and for what?  Which prayers "get through"
>    to God, and which ones fall by the wayside?
All prayers get through to God.  We should 'pray' at all times, trusting in
God.  But, we do well to remember Jesus prayer in Gethsemenee "Not my will,
but Yours."  

>I will accept ONLY scriptural referrences as valid answers.  OR, PERSONAL
>TESTIMONY !!  NOT personal opinion.  The bible does say after all, that we
>will defeat the devil and his agents by the power of the word of God, and
>by our testimony.  (or at least something to that effect.)
Well, I used Scriptural references above....good enough for you?

 -Steve
--
 The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
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     adams@spss.com                           Phone: (312) 329-3522
     Steve Adams                              Fax:   (312) 329-3558