Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [RELIGION] evolution report

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Fri, 30 Jun 2006, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:

> Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
> > On Fri, 30 Jun 2006, Mike Miller wrote:
> >
> > > On Fri, 30 Jun 2006, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
> > >
> > > > Mike Miller wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Of course, another possibility, one that you refuse to consider, is 
> > > > > that there is no God, that passage was written by a series of 
> > > > > writers and translators during the past 1800 years or so, Jesus was 
> > > > > just a man whose legacy has been tremendously exaggerated, and what 
> > > > > you are doing with religion is divisive and antithetical to 
> > > > > promotion of peace and prosperity for mankind.
> > > >
> > > > No, of course I have considered that possibility, indeed given it 
> > > > serious thought.  It is just that after much thinking about it, I 
> > > > have concluded that this is not the case.
> > >
> > > Sorry, I know that you have considered it, but you are no longer 
> > > considering it.  The reason, if I understand things you've written in 
> > > the past year or so, is that you like the feeling you get from your 
> > > religion.
> >
> > That is some excellent flame bait, but I don't think I'll be biting this 
> > time.  :-)
>
> Actually I am going to (a) recant from what I said and (b) bite.

Just so you know, I didn't think of my message as flame bait.  I thought 
it was true that your choice was based on the feelings you had about an 
experience.  You've said things along those lines several times.


> Let me also say to Mike and Rick - I think it very likely that you are 
> part of the "chosen" and that one day God will meet with you in a way 
> that you cannot deny.  The reason I think that is that most people I 
> discuss religion with simply change the subject, whereas with you two, 
> you seem unable to drop the subject, but keep bringing it up again.  I 
> see this as a very positive sign.

I see religion as one of the most potent forces in politics and history. 
It has played a major role in shaping human societies and it continues to 
do so.  Therefore, it has to be addressed.

One of my ideas is that we might be able to get many people to separate 
the mystical and ethical aspects of their religions and adopt a view that 
is more ageeable to other religions and to the non-religious.


> You should also understand that I am in no way superior to you just 
> because God has extended his grace to me.  I am just as deserving of the 
> fate of hell as anyone else.  God saved me, not because I deserved it, 
> but because he loved me.  I do not doubt that he loves you guys equally.

If extension of grace has nothing to do with deserving it, then how does 
God choose who he will extend grace to?  If we don't know how he decides, 
why don't you doubt that he will extend grace to me and Rick?

Mike

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