Michael Daly wrote:
On 4-Mar-2005, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

I think I did what Jesus would have done!

And what any reasonable person would do. There are a lot
of unreasonable people out there. The overall message I
take out of the New Testament is to be a decent person.
It's not hard and I don't understand how so many stridently
conservative "Christians" can't muster that.

Mike

Mike, I agree with you wholeheartedly, and apart from the recent
discussions here that have become acrimonius, I have a philosopy that I
try to live. It is based on scriptures found in the book of Peter,
where he says, " Considering all these things, live a quiet and
peaceful life as much as is possible."

The "Considering all these things," represent some of the issues that
have been discussed recently here. I am more than willing to answer
folks if they ask about the hope that is in me. I am willing and able
to discuss many Christian ethical questions, which can be profitable,
though sometimes intense. However after we consider all these things, I
look forward to living a quiet and peaceful life, which happens to
include paddling.

Ironically, some of the greatest resistance I have run into, is from
Christians. I show them this scripture, and they don't get it. They are
like K&r, born to be contentious it would appear. They even choke when
I tell them about the love of God. You would think that they would be
excited about God's Love, but sadly they are more excited about the new
carpet in the church, or the business meeting, or some other worldly
function, or even fighting the church next door. Don't misunderstand
me, those things are nice and may be necessary, but I have found many
churches to be a spiritual desert.

Now sometimes even this peace and quietness is not possible, and it
seems that some even here, desire to be difficult for no other reason
than being difficult. I realize that some have struggled with, and been
annoyed by what I have said. Largely I relize that this is due to their
misunderstanding of what I am trying to say, and how they have been
treated in the past.

I don't know that anyone really does not want to be loved by God, if
there is God. If there is no God, then it would still be good and
necessary for us to respect and be nice to one another. Sort of like
two vessel passing on the water. They are going opposite directions,
but they still afford each other the right of way. If we do this in
life, things go so much easier. TnT