Wow, we've been through some stuff lately, haven't we? Loving concern with unbalanced fear, then giving with unbalanced pride and now uncontrolled prejudices. We all have prejudices and they can be discussed without bashing. Sometimes, we're over zealous and need to rethink our words before we push the submit button. (Interesting word submit). Calmer responses and clearer threads that don't draw out what we don't want.

I haven't had any trouble with bad e-mails getting or giving. And I appreciate not getting any bad ones. I was told once that I should state things as my opinion and not as fact. That's probably good diplomacy.

I'd like to apologize if I've hurt anyone here, I certainly haven't meant to. I'm not apologizing for beliefs as I stand firm on those. As corny as it may sound this is the one of few places that I have felt safe. I'd hate to lose it.

I'd certainly be willing to help organize the archives,I was told no because of confidential office stuff, but the offer still stands.

(This is certainly not meant as a backhanded sermon, but )I wish God's blessings to all who will accept them. Cindy

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 06, 2001

Answers

I don't think anyone has a need to apologize. In any discussion there will be severe swings one way or the other, but hopefully it comes back to moderation and respecting other people's rights and beliefs (or lack thereof).

I have said this once before on the forum. If someone were to ask me if I was a Christian, I would honestly have to say no. If the question were changed to, "Do you try (and try is the operative word here) to live your life according to Christian ideals?" I would have to say yes. When you come down to it, the Ten Commandments are a pretty good set of rules for a functional society.

To paraphrase others, I respect other people's religious beliefs. Please don't try to force them on me.

Who knows, in 500 years it might all prove to be wrong. How many events in the Bible might be explained by Star Trek technology? Perhaps we were colonialized from Mars. Colonialization from elsewhere would fit into Genesis.

An open mind is a wonderful thing.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 06, 2001.

Cindy, your apology is not accepted...you have nothing to aploigize for.You are civil and respectful no more can be asked of another. Thank you ,the thought was very kind.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 06, 2001.

Cindy, I agree with the others, no need to apologize and no need to waver on your beliefs. I agree the diplomatic solution would be to state such beliefs as opinion and you've been pretty consistantly respectful of the differences on this board. The issue is and has consistantly been being force fed religion against our God given free will. As I've tried in the past to say, I have no problems with either Christ or Christianity, just a certain variety of Christianity that feels required to foist their beliefs on others at all costs. Its like the Cyber crusades.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 06, 2001.

Cindy, you are sweet and extremely sensitive. That is to your credit and to your future reward.

I apologized to someone via a private email and I have received apologies from people via private emails, but I have never and will never proselytize anyone via private email unless they initiate the contact. To my way of thinking, that is on par with telemarketing.

I believe that since Christ gave up His life, which was without blemish, to redeem me, a terrible sinner, from eternal seperation from God, that I should have no fear or worry about taking a bashing in public for him. What is the greater sacrifice? Are we to discredit that sacrifice and not stand up for Christ when it isn't popular? My response is No. I will not be ashamed of Christ.

Yet there is another question here. Since when does reading something become a point of force? If it is in your mailbox via private email and you are offended, you have every right to be. If it is here, in free speech land, you have the right to skip it or disagree. But either way it is not a point of force.

Thank you for your wish of God's blessings, Cindy. May you regain your health and continue to be fortified in His love and word. You have been a blessing to everyone here.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), January 06, 2001.

I had to look up that word 'proselytize' in the dictionary! I am an excellent proof reader and can do NY Times crosswords in ink, and I have never seen that word before.

Ken, you sound like you watch those Ancient Prophecies shows. Those are neat to watch, so interesting. I think I have recorded them all. There was a cedar log in one pyramid that was 1000 years old.

I have never had an ugly e-mail from anyone here or anywhere. I do try to make it crystal clear it's just my own little bubble I live in, just the way I think and what I myself believe. You know that verse in the Bible, you should have the mind of a child, that's me. May I always be teachable. I love this forum for all the wacky conversations that go on, and I believe we all really like each other, or we wouldn't be comming back everyday! Blessings to you too Cindy.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 07, 2001.