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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Solon who wrote (38993)	11/27/2001 1:31:58 PM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

I do not find statements of disbelief offensive. I do not see how being offended at sarcastic banter amounts to an expectation of someone "playing nursemaid". I, and most theists, do not assume much of anything about who will go to hell, at this point in history. I do not have an Imaginary Friend in the sense of hearing voices, or imagining intimate "leading", but in the sense used earlier: I do pray, and I do think that sometimes my prayers are answered. This flows out of my understanding of the nature of the Deity. It may be that I am reading into coincidences what I wish, but it has little to do with developmental psychology. Also, since few people in this country are fundamentalist, even among those who believe in the efficacy of prayer, and few fundamentalists are so remote from mainstream sentiment as to want to establish an inquisition, the fears of the secular seem to me to be somewhat exaggerated. Anyway, I have never made much out of my sense of offense, but since it came up, I thought I would mention it......

To: Solon who wrote (38993)	11/27/2001 2:22:49 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

All authority is imaginary except that which is purely materialistic (forced). Imaginary authority is based in principles of belief whether it is to a secular doctrine or religious scripture. Imaginary authority lasts the test of time when authority figures earn it through respect. Obedience to imaginary authority is founded upon internal agreement in principle and on the integrity of the external authority figure. Materialistic authority is commanded and obedience to it is through fear of physical harm or loss.