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Pastimes : Kosovo -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: truedog who wrote (10362)	5/29/1999 3:07:00 AM
From: Andy Thomas	Respond to of 17770

>>Actually, this did not result from my parents' teaching but flies in the face of it. I don't know how it happened but it did, and I am more content that ever before in a longer life than most of you have had.<< I knew that my blanket statement about "cultural upbringing" could get me into trouble, but figured that believers such as yourself - no matter what their background - would let it pass graciously and I thank you for that. Certainly what I write - on the surface or perhaps through and through - is logically full of holes. That is why what we share is called "faith." In my darkest days I envied those of every persuasion who had that very faith, for mine was cloaked in darkness... there perhaps, but not in use. Until my dying day I will maintain that a life without faith - a belief in something which is beyond the proofs of science - is something which, leads not to a life but to an existence of what amounts to being "dead on one's feet." Faith makes a person whole. Christianity is not the only belief system to teach this. Heck, even Don Juan in the Yaqui way of knowledge states over and over again that, "a warrior must believe." It is difficult to spread the word to the Jew or the Moslem, or for that matter the Buddhist. The problem with Christianity is that believers see Jesus as the only true path to the Father. Islam appears to get around this by proclaiming Christ a prophet, and Judaism simply denies the divinity of Jesus. Buddhism appears to think of Jesus as simply another appearance of the Buddha. What is one to do though when one is thoroughly convicted of the divinity of Jesus, above all others? I will not let this lamp be covered... no not this time. For those of you who might think me a bumpkin: First of all, perhaps you might wish to consider that the Lord uses the wisdom of fools to shame "wise men." Second, there is much to be said for intellectual pursuit, perhaps it is itself every bit as important as faith in living a full life. My greatest inspiration other than Jesus is in the person of Johann Sebastian Bach... he had a great passion for the Lord yet at the same time engaged in the most vigorous intellectual pursuit via his music. There is no way either of us can post these types of messages up here without being attacked. That is understandable. To everyone who may be looking in, what level of theological discussion is desirable on this thread? Remember that in Yugoslavia we have Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Moslem. So much of the emnity seems to stem from these divisions. Can this ongoing conflict be solved by any solution which is without theological consideration? If it is such a burden to the posters on this thread, we can make a strict rule to stay out of postings of a spiritual nature, though it seems it would be difficult to discuss the situation in its entirety without ever mentioning such things. In any case being exposed to miracles does change one's perspective, does it not? I do appreciate that someone on this thread can see where I'm coming from. Peace Andy

To: truedog who wrote (10362)	5/29/1999 3:14:00 AM
From: Andy Thomas	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17770

TD, re: Faith >>Actually, this did not result from my parents' teaching but flies in the face of it. << I had a giant response typed up (I can see the eyes of many here rolling <g>), but thought the best of posting it. Many of us do find peace of mind despite what we were taught as children and not because of it. Blanket statements always get me into trouble... <g> This little light of mine... <smile> Thanks for your understanding. FWIW Andy