To: epicure who wrote (972 ) 9/20/2000 10:52:54 PM From: Solon Read Replies (1) | Respond to I think it is tough to evaluate a person out of the context of his or her times the degree of commonality varies with the prejudice of the biographer or historian . On the other hand, when someone has secured a place in history as the founder of a huge church movement, it is necessary to challenge his beliefs--which circulate the world in books--and it is requisite to point out where his beliefs are harmful, erroneous, and dangerous. Unfortunately, the nazis used his beliefs to support their evil beliefs. He is not to blame for their choices...BUT THEY ARE TO BLAME FOR THEIR CHOICES . They are to blame for acting upon ignorant and immoral beliefs. I am suggesting that if one is to take something good and true from Luther (or from anyone else), they must be honest enough not to mix it or confuse it, with the bad and the false.not normal behaviour then. It is a behavioural difference that ought to be remarked upon and pondered. His beliefs do not need to be sanitized; They need to be condemned vigourously. These kinds of beliefs have a way of creeping back into society. They take many forms. Whether it is a Manson, equating people with pigs, and therefore disposable, or whether it is a group of soldiers slaughtering people and burying them with bulldozers--it can't be sanitized by the times . I realize that you were not trying to do this, but I am simply taking the opportunity to expand on what has been discussed here today.all ages that have chosen to be tolerant because their minds and their empathy showed them the way --these people are a light in many many dark places. Today, we still consider psychotic beliefs (as an example) to be inappropriate. We can judge the beliefs without condemning the person. Just my opinion, of course. Good discussion.
