From: bruce.baer@factory.com (Bruce Baer)
Newsgroups: alt.recovery
Subject: ANY A vs. Anything ?
Date: 6 Oct 92 01:50:00 GMT
Reply-To: bruce.baer@factory.com (Bruce Baer)
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-1243v.32bis

To All,

       Jan. 30th. 1530  Augsburg Germany. Emperor Charles V summons an
imperial diet to meet the following April for the purpose of creating a
unified front in his military operations against the Turks. This meeting
"DEMANDS" that an end be made to religious disunity that has arrisen due
to the refformation. All Princes and Representitives of free cities in
the Empire are to attend. Unity must be restored at all costs. Since a
      statement of doctrines known as the SCHWABACH ARTICLES has been
      prepared in the summer of 1529, all that is needed now is an
      additional statement concerning the changes in practice which had
      been made in the CHURCHES at SAXONY. The statement was prepared by
      the Wittenburg theologians and approved at Torgau 3/?/1530. They
      are to be known as The Torgau Articles.

      I could easily go on for at least another 50-100 pages. I wonder,
does this scenario sound familiar to anyone yet. Does anyone out there
see any similarities to what is happening here today in this recovery
area and Germany during the 1500's ?
      Emperor Charles was no fool. He knew what his objectives were.
He new he needed UNITY if he was to succeed in his milatary operations
against the Turks.
      So, as it was then it is now : AGAIN. We will not gain anything by
fighting each other, we will loose the war. Open your eyes, use your
heads. Cease this non-sense at once. You are behaving like children.

       The historical reference sited above was the begining of what
is commonly known as the Augsburg Confession. I have little doubt one
could with little effort find at least 50 books concerning the subject
if further reading is desired. I use this particular example because
1 It is commonly known of and easy to research.
2 It not only goes into great detailed discussions concerning a
  particular form of faith (the right way as opposed to the wrong way)
  it also goes into great detail concerning what was considered (at the
  time) chief articles of contriversy within the faith. The contriversy
  is as educational as the non-contriversial. As what was at the heart
  of there many arguments was to say the least not worth arguing over.
  Who should hear confession, who should give the sermon, who should do
  the burials and countless other issues that remind me of our
  particular forms of bickering.
        I in no way offer this as a required way to achieve spiritual
enlightenment. I am trying to offer perspective, to give a sense of
balance to an issue that has gone way out of control. It is not unusual
for a group to argue. It is healthy to do so. Different oppinions
stimulate the brain and promote growth. Arguing with yourself serves no
useful purpose. But, on the other hand I see no guidence of any kind
here. Does this group have no moderator of any kind ? How long will
he/she let this go on? It has (IN MY OPINION) gone well past being
productive and should be put to an abrupt end.  Thank-you
                                                      BAB
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 . SLMR 2.1a . Fight War, Not Wars!