Cheryl:I too have enjoyed reading your story, and think you are very brave to share such a personal experience. I find it heartening that it was education that led to you challenging your faith. It was not surprising to see how negatively education is viewed by J.W.s. Indoctrination's key ingredient...

Quote:Well...Churches have been doing this for years...why is this guy so wrong?Mr. P., I'm gong to assume that was tongue in cheek; because, lord knows just because a church does something, doesn't make it right. As my mom always said, it's not appropriate to derive pleasure from someone else's mis...

First, I'm glad others have jumped into the discussion.Avi:Quote:An explanation of some kind was an absolute necessity, just as some working explanation of the universe is necessary--however absurd--to the happiness of every individual who seeks to do his duty in the world and face the problems of l...

Very cute title for the thread, Mr. P.I think it's kind of sad the guy who found the letters on the beach would sell them. These people wrote what they thought would be private, personal letters to their church and/or pastor. And now they will be sold for public consumption. It's disheartening this ...

I just got back from the Richard Dawkins reading hosted by the Free Public Library. First, I want to give a nod to the library's continued efforts to host many various authors, some of whom are controversial.I enjoyed the reading, I always like to hear authors read their own work. Dawkins is enterta...

Quote:This is Franks Question in reverse. It is, word for word, I seriously checked it.

I know this member journal entry is long overdue. I have been participating in threads without formally introducing myself. I haven't meant to buck the system; I just don't think talking about myself is that interesting, but here goes.My name is Rosemary, I'm a 27-yr-old female. Ummmm...I work for c...

Being new here, I don't know what the conversation in short stories usually centers around. I didn't want to be the one to start the discussion, but I figured if I threw something out people might respond. Anyway, I have two thoughts on the short story--beware of spoilers below.The natural imagery i...

Quote:Ruether, and many other feminist Christians and Jews provide a much different reading of the text and their conclusions are far more nunaced and complex than your black and white, blanket rejections. In Ruether's "Virginal Feminism" she concludes that new "traditions of feminine...

Quote:...Do I think that any such services that mention Christ, Christianity, God, or the Bible will be wholly useful on the world stage? Absolutely not....All I'm saying is that religion was not influential in their efforts, nor does it need to be in continued efforts....Although some religions hav...