[net.religion] ASS/U/ME-ing Yiri assumed

yiri@ucf-cs.UUCP (Yirmiyahu BenDavid) (11/20/84)

	If you demand that anyone who is non-Jewish refrain from commenting on
Judaism, can the rest of us demand that you refrain from commenting on anything
non-Judaic?  or perhaps, anything not in Florida?  or further, anything not
at UCF?

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Yiri responds:
First, I've not demanded 'that anyone who is non-Jewish refrain from
commenting on Judaism'. Twisting what I have written is unethical,
deceptive and cheap.  Secondly, anyone who comments about specialized
knowledge from a position of ignorance should expect to be corrected.
There are, in fact, many things outside of Florida about which others
know more than me and I would be careful in offering comments on those
specialized areas. Further, I would not be surprised to be corrected
when I was in error. At least I would have the intelligence to
recognize that there are specialized areas and specialized information
in which the specialists may be expected to have obtained superior 
knowledge. That shouldn't preclude one from commenting... but if they
have any sense they would be careful not to take an authoritative
posture on such a question. 
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	Y'know, you certainly have already assumed quite a bit here. For one,
you've assumed that I'm not Jewish.  Secondly, you've assumed that commenting
on Judaism implies that the commentator feels more informed than those he is
commentating on.  And thirdly, you've assumed that such commentary carries with
it an overtone of hostility.

	Are you prepared to back those assumptions up?

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Yiri responds:
I've made none of those assumptions.  I commented on the assertions you
made without any assumption - since you failed to offer it. The
statement will apply to you if you are not Jewish. If you are Jewish,
then read it again and you'll find it cannot apply to you. On the other
hand, you've not told me what is your posture vis-a-vis Judaism
and Christianity. Why don't you inform me?  I wouldn't want to assume.
Since the assumption you list are not assumptions I have made there is
no reason I should have any wish to 'back them up'. You seem to have
assumed them... you back them up. I'll continue to back up (only) those
things I write.
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