garys@bunkerb.UUCP (Gary Samuelson) (08/15/83)
I do most sincerely apologize! I had crossed a couple of messages in my mind, and didn't take the time and effort to make sure I was responding to what I thought I was. Now, instead of doing it right the first time, I have to spend even more time and effort to correct myself (there's a moral for programmers here, somewhere...) FLAME ON -- Samuelson, you ought to be shot -- FLAME OFF. Making an error of that magnitude sure takes the wind out of a guy's sails. I THOUGHT someone had argued against the Golden Rule, and then turned around and justified the concept of rights by saying that if one doesn't respect others' rights, then others won't respect the rights of the former, either, which would be a form of the Golden Rule.
garys@bunkerb.UUCP (Gary Samuelson) (10/12/83)
Well, I certainly caused a stir. I have apparently offended a great many people, and offer the following apology (and, to a lesser extent, defence): Dear readers of net.politics and net.religion: I am sorry for the anger and misunderstanding I caused. I obviously did not express myself well, yet I think I have been unfairly accused as well. I do not believe that all Christians are honest, ethical, etc. I do not believe that all non-Christians are dishonest, unethical, etc. I resent having such statements attributed to me. I do not believe that Christians in this country are persecuted in the same way as Christians in the first century. I do not believe that Pamela Troy wants to throw me in jail, or put me in a mental institution. I do not want to put Pamela Troy in jail or in a mental institution. As for prayer in public schools, has it occurred to anyone that I may have been lied to as well? I did not invent the notion that the Supreme Court ruling made all public school prayer illegal. In fact, I have heard already that it did not. Not being a lawyer, and not having the time or the resources to research the case myself, I have to rely on what others tell me. (So do most other people, I expect. Why does that make me a liar?) I have noted that certain people have called for a "Constitutional amendment to restore voluntary prayer" to the public schools, which implies to me that it is currently illegal. Why is it that those who say that are necessarily liars? I do believe that it is at least as likely for people to come to power in this country who want to repress Christians as for people to come to power to repress non-Christians. It is probably more likely, in my opinion. As for Pam's questions, I do not know what will happen if the "Moral Majority" gains more power. At this point, it may be a waste of time for me to say anything, since whatever I say will be interpreted in the light of the anger I caused. But I might as well try. First, my opinion of certain historical events (Please do not infer my opinion on historical events not mentioned). I think it was immoral for the Roman government (Nero, et al.) to persecute Christians (and anybody else they persecuted. One must make disclaimers at all points, I guess). I also am willing to believe that some of the early Christians behaved in such a way that they brought some of the persecution on themselves, thought this does not excuse the Romans (oh, now I will be accused of maligning all Romans). I think it was immoral for the perpetrators of what has become known as the Inquisition to do what they did. I also think that it was un-Christian. (Yet another disclaimer: I am not saying that anyone said it was). I think it was immoral for the perpetrators of the Salem witch trials to do what they did. I also think that it was un-Christian. (Same disclaimer). Why am I talking about history? As a background to what I have to say about the present. I do not think witchcraft is right. If I did, I would engage in it myself. Although I probably shouldn't even make these statements either, since I don't know what exactly you mean by "witchcraft." I have known two people who claimed that they were witches, but what they meant by "witch" and what Pam means by "witch" may be entirely different things. Even though I do not think witchcraft is right, I also do not think it is right (or even possible) to attempt to prevent it through legislation. Concerning my statement about putting Christians in mental institutions: That's what happens in Russia, and I think that it is possible that it will happen in America as well (that will require several disclaimers: 1) Not all Christians in Russia are put in mental instituions. 2) Some who are not Christians are also put in mental institutions. 3) What is called a mental institution in Russia bears no resemblance to what is called a mental institution in America. 4) I am not saying that all non-Christians are communists or socialists. 5) I am not saying that all communists or socialists want to put Christians (or anyone else) in a mental institution). 6) I am not saying that I know of any specific person who wishes to do that.) All I'm saying is that for any given group of people A, there is no doubt another group B who would like to gain power and repress group A. Conversely, I suppose anyone who gained power would set about repressing someone, even if that was not their original intent. I think I would like to repress murderers, rapists, and thieves. I expect that I have now offended everyone who wasn't offended before, without assuaging anyone who was previously offended. Oh well, c'est la vie. Gary Samuelson
susan@phs.UUCP (01/27/84)
I apologize for sending my first net.news article in edit format, I mailed the wrong version.