Re: [asa] Fear and Loathing on this list

Preston,
I note that you are comparing two groups with whom you meet and this
list. While I agree that being polite is relevant, I have to note that
there is a very different feel to face to face communication and the
semi-anonymity of e-mail and other computer postings. There have been
recent stories about people posting their nude photos on the Web, though
the have been none that I have seen of any of them walking about town. I
do recall a number of incidents of streaking, however.

Additionally, I would call your attention to Matthew 23. I know of only
one set of sermons with that chapter as the text. Out of curiosity, do
any of the group know of a sermon based on that chapter? Additionally,
it's been a while since I have heard a sermon explicitly on sin or on
hell.
Dave (ASA)

On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:58:34 -0600 Preston Garrison <pngarrison@att.net>
writes:
> All,
>
> I have been lurking on this list more in recent weeks than I have
> for
> several years. As always there are brilliant people discussing deep
>
> topics. But there is something else that is consistent. There is a
> constant current of sarcasm, declarations of war against this group
>
> or that, expressions of fear and despair about what is supposedly
> befalling the church, and declarations from on high of what God
> thinks about this or that.
>
> In the same period I have been meeting with two separate groups of
> people locally. Both are composed of mixes of believers and atheists
>
> and agnostics, with a preponderance of unbelievers. In both of those
>
> groups, serious topics are discussed, scientific, political,
> religious and philosophical, but everyone is treated with mutual
> respect, there is humor, self-deprecation and even love. Even the
> servers who bring the coffee are known and time is taken for them by
>
> both believers and unbelievers.
>
> I recently recommended this list indirectly to a young man who is
> very intelligent and troubled about theological and scientific
> issues. I have to say at this point that I think I made a mistake in
>
> doing so. If he looks here, he will find much more education and
> brilliance than in the average church, but too much savagery for him
>
> to get much out of the intelligence.
>
> I just opened my Bible "randomly" to the following verse:
>
> If any man thinks himself religious, but does not bridle his tongue,
>
> but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is WORTHLESS. -
> James 1:26
>
> Enough. Stop it. Repent. Consider that that none of us is right
> about
> everything. It isn't all of you. It is the same subset over and over
>
> and over again. You know who you are. Ask our Lord and the people
> you
> are insulting to forgive you and start praying for your intellectual
>
> enemies. Don't respond to me. It isn't me you have offended.
>
> Preston Garrison
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
> "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
>
>
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Received on Mon Feb 16 16:04:33 2009