Tim.Maroney@f93.n161.z1.fidonet.org (Tim Maroney) (10/20/90)
Thank you for your well-reasoned message. Both my colleague Asmodeus and myself have repreatedly pointed out errors about Satanism which were committed by Eric Marsh and Janet Christian, and provided straightforward, non-confrontational explanations of what Satanism is about, in alt.pagan on USENET. Marsh and Christian have consistently ignored these messages, unlike many others who thanked us for providing these educational materials. Education is not only a responsibility on the well-informed side of an issue; the other side has to be willing to listen. Many people are -- from your statements about how your attitudes have changed on Satanism, I assume you are one of them -- but many other people find some deep emotional satisfaction from their pre-existing stands are and are unwilling to even consider any contrary evidence. After trying and trying, I have to conclude that Marsh and Christian are among this latter, uneducable group. -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!161!93!Tim.Maroney Internet: Tim.Maroney@f93.n161.z1.fidonet.org
Charles.Nemo@p0.f666.n107.z1.fidonet.org (Charles Nemo) (10/20/90)
Well said, insofar as your comments about understanding others' backgrounds before drawing conclusions are concerned. The ability to remain calm while doing this is a rare trait. May this not always be so. Certain New Agers speak quite frankly about the need to encourage those who show a willingness to try to open up, while "weeding out" in some fashion those who remain close-minded. I wonder if these New Age planners have concentration camps or worse in mind.... -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!107!666.0!Charles.Nemo Internet: Charles.Nemo@p0.f666.n107.z1.fidonet.org
Eric.Marsh@f93.n161.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Marsh) (10/20/90)
In response to your message which made some suggestions to Louis, Tim and
myself, I think that is all basically good advice. However, in terms of
myself, I am actually reasonably well educated on Satanism, though there
is always benifit in gaining more information. I read Satanism in America
when it first came out some time back and have had other sources. This is
not to say that I am fully knowledgable, but I am not completly ignorant
either. The arguments I had put forth in the past were based on the
information I had at that time, and I still believe that some of the
basic points I have put forth in the past are valid, given the facts.
However there has never been a dialog on these things, just distracting
flame wars.
As for my childhood, I was raised an athiest. I still tend to lean
strongly in that direction.
Finally, Janet, myself and Alexandria were recently interviewed by the
Merky news. When the subject of Satanism came up I stated that while I
may have some philosophical differences with Satanists, I stated that
I wanted to draw a careful line so that I am not in any way endorsing any
of the lies often told about Satanists. I even went so far as to attempt
(actually volunteer) to attempt to put the reporter in touch with some
Satanists, if she wanted the story from their side. (BTW, Tim, even
though I have a strong dislike for you, I would have given you that
oppertunity if you were interested.) I did state that we were not
involved in Satanism in any way. I will be interested in seeing how this
all comes out in print. See the Mercury News, Saturday the 20th in the
religion section.
Anyhow, I hope this clears up some misunderstandings.
B*B
Eric
--
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!161!93!Eric.Marsh
Internet: Eric.Marsh@f93.n161.z1.fidonet.orgMS06094@UAFSYSB.BITNET (Mark Shaw) (10/30/90)
Alright! Enough is enough. Why not move the occult dialog to the satan list or some such. _________________________________________________________________ Mark A. Shaw Bitnet: MS06094@UAFSYSB University of Arkansas Internet: MS06094@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU Computing services Fayetteville, Ark. ----------------------------------------------------------------