From: cbe@unlinfo.unl.edu (cbe)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Is it actually 10%??
Date: 21 Dec 1992 07:59:48 GMT
Organization: University of Nebraska--Lincoln	
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: unlinfo.unl.edu

smithw@col.hp.com (Walter Smith) writes:

>cbe@unlinfo.unl.edu (cbe) writes:
>> Sorry.....as I've said before I believe it is *your* kind of Christian
>> who is just as much of a problem as the fanatical fundies.  Were those
>> Christians of your persuasion to vocally and visibly counter the 
>> teachings of the fundies for the hate and non-christian cant that you 
>> believe it to be, it would have much effect.  With vigorous and 
>> vehement opposition from the mainstream christians, I believe the 
>> fundies would be hard-pressed to continue their venomous tactics.  

>What you need to understand about that is, most 'mainstream' Christians 
>are not into "vigorous and vehement opposition", in either direction.
>Also, most 'mainstream' Christians that I know hold the view that 
>homosexuality is disapproved of in the scriptures.  And no matter how 
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sigh....yes, I know that only too well.  Witness the recent 
Presbyterian and Methodist Synods or whatever they call them.  The 
point is that organized Christianity on this point chooses not to 
clarify anything but stays with allowing the assumed proscription to go
unchallenged.  It is no wonder that the religion is earning a bad 
reputation...at least the organized segment.  If there is any issue 
where its moral bankruptcy is evident, it is this one.

>much these  'mainstream' Christians say they think people should be 
>free to do what people want to, and that they have no desire to 
>'convert' homosexuals into hetrosexuals, they are still likely to 
>get bashed in this forum for not coming out as 'approving' of 
>homosexuality.  They're told that tolerance and 'live-n-let-live' 
>just isn't good enough.  

Actually it isn't good enough.  For "the Good Book" does not clearly 
teach that homosexuality is proscribed.  There have been enough 
postings in this regard recently to shed much doubt on the issue.  
Recently there was one by Mr. Solovay, I believe.  As long as 
prejudice informs the theology of the organized christians, they will 
have little claim to moral high ground.  Again, I suggest reading 
Boswell's book if you want a good picture of how hypocritical the 
present "Christians'" stand vis a vis homosexuality is concerned.


>> But
>> it is the complicity of the "fairly quiet" Christians whose great 
>> subtility is allowing the fundies to project themselves as *the* 
>> interpreters of protestant christianity.

>Yes,I can see where that could be the case.  Because they choose to 
>make themselves that, doesn't mean people should listen; most people 
>don't think the way they do.

>> Keep encouraging them, and maybe things will change.  The clearer 
>>things can be made, the more likely it'll happen. 


The only thing that I encourage is for people to shed superstition. 
When facts and reason hold sway over the fantasies of fable, perhaps 
then peace will be possible.

colburn eigen                            h|u> = e|u>