Debra --
Thanks for the post. It sounds like you discovered a bit of the same thing that I have discovered (which prompted my earlier "P" word comment that drew some fire for some reason). I don't understand why I need to be "converted" or why I have to believe a certain way even if it is the "accepted mainstream way".
I have never really understood why the "Evolution" thing has been an issue for Christians, I have never thought it was a conflict of faith to believe in Evolution (or any other science, for that matter). As 40years... said, I respect their right to believe whatever they want but they don't have a right to make ME believe whatever THEY want. They cannot prove their point and I cannot prove mine so intelligent and mature individuals should be able to "agree to disagree" but that just don't work for some so the relationship cannot continue.
I think that some people personalize their religion too much and by that I mean that if someone has chosen a different path, some seem to take that as a tacit statement that they are wrong (maybe it is, I don't know). Over the years I have seen this manifest in a large diversity of "religious arguments": Chevy/Ford, Apple/PC, iOS/Android, Canon/Nikon, Cats/Dogs.... the list is endless. It seems to be a basic human nature thing but it seems to become hugely amplified once "God" is involved.
Funny that you picked a "liberal episcopal" church. Do you think you had sort of a "liberal" leaning while you were part of TLW? I certainly did, that's what got me in trouble -- I asked too many questions :-).
I'll shoot you an e-mail and tell you who I am -- We might know each other. I was there (the first time) from '69 to '71.
Thanks for the post. It sounds like you discovered a bit of the same thing that I have discovered (which prompted my earlier "P" word comment that drew some fire for some reason). I don't understand why I need to be "converted" or why I have to believe a certain way even if it is the "accepted mainstream way".
I have never really understood why the "Evolution" thing has been an issue for Christians, I have never thought it was a conflict of faith to believe in Evolution (or any other science, for that matter). As 40years... said, I respect their right to believe whatever they want but they don't have a right to make ME believe whatever THEY want. They cannot prove their point and I cannot prove mine so intelligent and mature individuals should be able to "agree to disagree" but that just don't work for some so the relationship cannot continue.
I think that some people personalize their religion too much and by that I mean that if someone has chosen a different path, some seem to take that as a tacit statement that they are wrong (maybe it is, I don't know). Over the years I have seen this manifest in a large diversity of "religious arguments": Chevy/Ford, Apple/PC, iOS/Android, Canon/Nikon, Cats/Dogs.... the list is endless. It seems to be a basic human nature thing but it seems to become hugely amplified once "God" is involved.
Funny that you picked a "liberal episcopal" church. Do you think you had sort of a "liberal" leaning while you were part of TLW? I certainly did, that's what got me in trouble -- I asked too many questions :-).
I'll shoot you an e-mail and tell you who I am -- We might know each other. I was there (the first time) from '69 to '71.