Re: [asa] fellowship in this group

Just to throw in my two cents as well...

This list isn't the only forum I participate on. I personally am very happy
to engage in apologetics, etc, elsewhere - to be frank, it's not at all hard
to find forums on the internet or elsewhere where one can take on challenges
far and wide to Christianity, theism, religion, etc. Indeed, it's very, very
easy.

But I reject the idea that every single religious gathering has to be like
that, or worse, that wanting to partake in a group where the broadly
like-minded gather is somehow 'walling themselves into their local church
because they are afraid'. In fact, I find such a caricature inane and
insulting, like suggesting Dawkins is an intellectual wimp because he
doesn't allow equal time to Keith Ward or Plantinga every time he gives a
speech or attends a pro-atheist gathering.

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 5:16 PM, David Clounch <david.clounch@gmail.com>wrote:

> Bernie,
>
> Its not fellowship within humanity (children of Adam). (BTW, You dont
> believe in Adam anyway).
>
> Fellowship (koineneia) (to Christians) exists only between Christians.
> Those who have been adopted have the same father. Its like going to a
> holiday get together with brothers and sisters.
>
> When people answer the questions of a non-family member they are not doing
> fellowship. They are doing apologetics. Your remarks and challenges apply
> to apologetics. But apologetics is for people who sign up to do that. Many
> here came here for the fellowship - to settle some things between
> Christians. I know this because private messages to me have said so. A lot
> of people are uncomfortable joining something expecting fellowship only to
> find challenges against the family and the entire fellowship.
>
> I don't think anybody is against doing apologetics as long as it doesn't
> distract. BUT I'd say we should should dialog more with people of the
> book. I mean Muslims. Where are they on the list? Christians have vastly
> more in common with Muslims than they do with western atheistic
> secularists. Well, all that isn't up to me...just throwing in my 2 cents
> worth.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Dave C
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 10:52 AM, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com>wrote:
>
>> David said:
>> “I'd like to ask if there is any tenet of Christianity you would defend
>> as being true? “
>>
>>
>>
>> I’m in the state of mind now that I’m against the beliefs of all ‘revealed
>> religions,’ but I think there is some good stuff in there. For example, in
>> Christianity, I like the ideas of “the fruit of the spirit” and focus on
>> emotional maturity.
>>
>>
>>
>> As for fellowship on this list, I would hope the fellowship is in truth
>> seekers honestly seeking answers to questions dealing with
>> religion/science. I’m still learning a lot and appreciate the feedback. I
>> know of no other group that consists of educated Christians in science
>> willing to discuss these things.
>>
>>
>>
>> I know I can be a threat to those who are defensive only. Some are only
>> in it for validation and don’t want to hear anything contrarywise, and so
>> they have a very low tolerance for difference of opinion. But I think such
>> a person needs to grow up and not be catered to. Let them stay in the local
>> church where people are afraid to talk about difficult issues because it may
>> bring disunity.
>>
>>
>>
>> …Bernie
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> *From:* David Clounch [mailto:david.clounch@gmail.com]
>> *Sent:* Monday, September 14, 2009 7:10 PM
>> *To:* Dehler, Bernie
>> *Cc:* asa@calvin.edu
>> *Subject:* Re: [asa] Evolution Conference Washington, DC - language
>> confusion
>>
>>
>>
>> Bernie,
>>
>> I'd like to ask if there is any tenet of Christianity you would defend as
>> being true? Can you list some of them? I think its important to understand
>> if there is any common ground, in the interest of, as George and others put
>> it, fellowship.
>>
>> Dave C
>>
>>
>

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Received on Tue Sep 15 17:37:44 2009