tim@cmu-cs-k.ARPA (Tim Maroney) (11/06/84)
Now that the silence imposed on me by fundamentalist Christians at UNC has ended, I can send something that should have come out last February. Yes, that's right, a new edition of "Even If I Did Believe..." A few words on the multiple versions of this thing may be in order. Every time I send it, at least one fundamentalist racks his brains trying to come up with some argument to refute it. Now, it is as impossible to reason correctly when you have already decided on your conclusions as it is to bicycle in reverse from Maine to Oregon, but that doesn't stop people from coming up with a few arguments which are not prima facie absurd. (Look at "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, for example. Read from a totally uncritical point of view, it appears valid, but even a little critical analysis shows how flawed its rationalizations are.) I feel compelled to point out the flaws in these a priori arguments, usually in articles, then I merge them into the old text of the main essay, in what I hope is a reasonably smooth fashion. It is my opinion that the current version refutes every possible objection which is not prima facie absurd, and so I hope no further editions will be necessary. Of course, I have also thought that about previous editions. I constantly underestimate the capability of some fundamentalists to twist reason to their own ends, or their lack of understanding of basic issues such as the unacceptability of any moral double standard. Why is there such an essay in the first place? Isn't it just intolerant flaming at another person's religion? I know why I wrote it: In a decade of discussing religion with Christians from a non-Christian perspective, I have been told "You have to be a Christian or you're a fool" so many times that I felt compelled to explain exactly why I am not a Christian. That is all the essay is. I am not intolerant of Christians, although I do draw the line at attempts to force me to accept Christianity by force of law and at rationalizations of human-committed genocide, which go beyond the limits of reasonable tolerance. It is really not my intent to offend anyone, just to defend myself against countless attacks by Christians. Enough of this. My next posting will contain all 675 lines of the essay. Read and enjoy! -- Tim Maroney, Carnegie-Mellon University Computation Center ARPA: Tim.Maroney@CMU-CS-K uucp: Try sending through a gateway such as DECWRL, UCB-VAX, SEISMO, or HARVARD -- mailer conventions differ on syntax
bts@mcnc.UUCP (Bruce Thomas Smith) (11/11/84)
Tim,
Are we all fundamentalist Christians?
And leave the wombats out of this! Remember
what happened last time...
_______________________________
Bruce T. Smith, UNC-Chapel Hillbnapl@burdvax.UUCP (Tom Albrecht) (11/19/84)
If this is your best defense I'd suggest investing in a pair of asbestos
longjohns.
--
Tom Albrecht Burroughs Corp.
...{presby|psuvax|sdcrdcf}!burdvax!bnaplken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (11/21/84)
-- >> If this is your best defense I'd suggest investing in a pair of asbestos >> longjohns. >> Tom Albrecht This is sacrilege! Most Holy Tim, praised be He, was net.crucified for *OUR* net.sins, and he net.died. But Lo! He hath risen from the net.dead, and He hath returned and net.walketh amongst us. Praise Tim! "Our Gadfly, Who art in Pittsburgh, hallowed be Thy name..." -- *** *** JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** ***** ****** ****** 21 Nov 84 [1 Frimaire An CXCIII] ken perlow ***** ***** (312)979-7188 ** ** ** ** ..ihnp4!iwsl8!ken *** ***