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In Reply to: Re: Journeys vs Kathy's Korner posted by Perry on October 19, 2004 at 20:18:04:
I agree. Consideration ought to be the big thing, and an awareness that we were all part of the same Christian cult so we of all people don't need to preach to each other. That means that no matter where we are all at now, all of us know all the verses already, know the whole thinking inside out & don't need it preached to us.
I think discussions & congenial disagreements will always be part of the turf though. I wasn't bothered in the least when you said on Soapbox that you no longer believed in the 'Christ myth.' I didn't feel threatened. I just figured you were saying what you felt. Citizen said it made him want to puke and advised you not to go to Florida, but his reactions are extreme & I hope, in the distinct minority.
By the same token, I think it's realistic to expect some reaction to statements of that nature. But as long as no one's getting defensive or steamed I think we'll all do fine.
Tolerance works both ways too. For e.g. agnostics & athiests don't like it when people say that if they're not a Christian they're going to hell. By the same token, many Christians are offended when athiests say that there's no difference between normal Christianity and the cult we all came from. Mind you, I've sat in a church some years ago that was pretty controlling, but I don't think that can be made as a blanket statement to condemn all Christians as cultists. If so, then atheism itself becomes the new high moral position preaching down at and condemning those seeking spirituality.
I think criticism of the historical failures of Christianity & even a discussion of what are considered its innate flaws are in order & needed, but to conclude that all Christians are cultists is sweeping and inaccurate. So like you say, if we can all respect one another & ban impassioned preaching, then we should do fine.
