Re: [asa] fellowship in this group

*BTW, the ASA members signed a statement of faith. That is the basis of
their fellowship. Granted, this list is open to the public. But that
doesn't mean chatting here makes one a member of a fellowship. That would
be setting a very very low bar for the definition of fellowship.

*

>
> On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 4:36 PM, Schwarzwald <schwarzwald@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> 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 Wed Sep 16 11:27:36 2009