morganr@csu-cs.UUCP (06/03/83)
Well Larry, I guess the difference is whether or not you admit your slavery. I admit that I am enslaved to food; if I do not eat, I die. I also admit that a major controling (enslaving?) factor in my life is rational thought. Just because we refuse to awknowledge *your* slavemaster (the largely imagined Christian God) as something different does not negate the fact that you are enslaved into narrow-mindedness, paranoia, and frequent delusion. Frankly, I'd rather take my risks with relying on my own perceptions, and keep myelf as free of masters as possible. This would be similar to the beliefs of the Epicureans, "all things in moderation." If we are to be free of "vanity...vexation of the spirit", then it is obvious we should throw off the chains on our minds, and seek what is truly the golden mean. The difference between a wino and a Christian is that the wino will often admit he is a drunk, while a Christian will never admit that he is a cowering slave. The wino can be cured by admitting his problem this way; the Christian is usually never cured. What is worse, is that all too many Christians are manipulated by power-hungry men, and not even the Bible. These are the saddest of all. Another example is the SCA (see net.misc); I know there is a suspension of reality, and I enter into it knowing it is theraputic. While Christianity has many benefits, Christians staunchly refuse to admit the suspension of disbelief involved. Sure, I'm 'deluding myself' when I work to someday be prince of the Outlands (or whatever). But I know it! I have control of it! The Christian is forced to maintain an existence totaly controlled by an unreal situation (although for many, this is also not the case). Christians! Think about what has happened to you. Your perceptions are so hazy you have built entire lives on the cotton candy of Christian viewpoints. Oh well, I guess I still have a little of the evangelist in me. Take care, y'all, and have a good weekend. Karl of Godelbach