dubois@uwmacc.UUCP (Paul DuBois) (09/10/84)
> >[Me] > >I don't think that I can agree much with the part about Jeff > >doing what his critics are thinking, either. I was not one of > >them, but I do think that reading Playboy is unlikely to bring one > >closer to God. And I haven't the slightest inclination or > >desire to read it. Yes, really. > [Dick Dunn] > Unless you are one of Jeff's critics, you can't speak for them. Since you > just disavowed being one, you don't know (nor do I). > > I do not know whether reading Playboy is likely to bring one closer to God, > nor would I much care. I am quite sure that if one must act only in ways > which unquestionably bring one closer to God, one will spend a great deal > more time in contemplating action than in acting. Who knows, reading "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I may not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11. In other words, scripture provides the guideline. One doesn't need to think about it all the time. I do not need to consider whether to be lie, for instance. Nor whether to swear, or commit adultery or be lustful. Some things must be subjected to contemplation, and often, perhaps. I don't wish to denigrate the value of contemplation. But one has to move beyond it sometime, and that is quite possible when one has a framework within which to move. Dick, you and I do not share the same framework, but what framework we have frees us from the burden of constant contemplation. > Playboy might have all manner of side effects of varying values (insights, > humor, disturbance,...) ...degradation of women, trivialization of sexual relations... > If you haven't had the slightest inclination or desire to read it, may I > jump to the conclusion that you don't read it? Based upon that tentative Sure. You'd be right. > conclusion, let me then ask how you could possibly judge whether it is > worth reading--let alone judge another person for reading it or not? Because I used to. Say, in high school. And found it boring and useless even then, when I wasn't a Christian! However, I will add, somewhat hesitantly, that I am currently reading a book called "The Fate of the Universe", which is published by Playboy Press. And was I judging Jeff? -- Paul DuBois {allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Psalm 119:111