Re: [asa] ASA Newsletter

On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM, <gmurphy10@neo.rr.com> wrote:

> David -
>
> The asa list is just a venue for discussion of science-religion issues &
> questions.

> It isn't the totality of the ASA. That doesn't rule out discussions here
> of what ASA policy should be or what initiatives it might undertake, but no
> such discussions in themselves will change policy or bring about action.
> There are other ways to do those things.
>
> The organization sends me a newsletter and gives me this place as the place
to discuss anything.
So if you don't think this works very well, well gee George, I certainly
agree with you on that.
But you sound sort of as if you blame me for that. I didnt choose either of
these solutions.

> I don't think the question of how people "get saved" is irrelevant to ASA
> policy or practice.

Its not irrelevant. But a coherent view of salvation also cannot be
resolved in a chat room comprised of non-ASA members for exactly the same
reason as you are saying no decisions about how the ASA develops resources
can get made here. When it comes to the arm chair philosophy and
opinion-slinging that probably won't even develop into any sort of
coherent consensus - well, that part is most certainly irrelevant. And the
reason is similar - no product is produced. No resources are produced.

But if you are concerned about the matter being all that critical then why
not simply point folks to the ASA website where the answers on "how people
get saved" is on display (after having been worked out) ?? Perhaps
because oops - there is no such material? Which is sort of my original
point. If the same answer is given ten years from now "oops - there is no
such material" it will be only because it was decided that it isn't worth
developing that material. Instead an infinite chat session on the topic
will be the total output of the ASA. I suppose I was challenging you and
Ted and Randy and others to change that. What ever was I thinking? Just
slap me, I'll come out of my dream state momentarily.

Since you alluded to the rest of the ASA, What I see ASA members doing is:

1) Writing articles for PSCF
2) Going to conferences
3) Chatting on this majordomo.

Thats all I have seen so far. It seems to me the typical person who comes
in contact with the ASA eventually sees about this much. So where is the
90% of the iceberg that provides the great resource to Christianity? What
am I missing?

Two recent events bother me.
1) David Opderbeck withdrew.
2) Ian Strachan apparently withdrew, apparently because of Bernie/atheist
related nonsense?
I miss both these distinguished gentlemen, and the value of this list to me
is greatly reduced. Apparently a lot of good people over the years have
withdrawn. Is this because they didnt see anything more? Or is it because
the organization never actually finds any common ground between the various
persuasions within Christianity?
And never allows Christians to legitimately disagree? Identifying where
Christians may legitimately disagree is just as critical as finding areas of
agreement. I've seen very little emphasis on any of that.

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Received on Mon Sep 7 14:33:24 2009