pc1y+@ANDREW.CMU.EDU (Peter Capell) (02/10/90)
Matt, Thank you so much for your response -- in my belief, it was a true Christian response. I don't believe I have ever enjoyed a "war" more than on this bboard. It is like a great battle of love and spirit. I am truly inspired by it all. One thing no one has done yet though, is to say, "Hey Pete, what are you struggling with?" That is, the reason we're in this, is usually because we are conducting our own personal "Jihad" if you will , against the forces of wrong doing, bad habit, ill-feelings and hatred that lie within us. My special struggle is with lust, God, I have a lot of it. I have been spared the mistake of say, having an affair, but only by a hair's breadth. I fight with depression as well. I have found that this bboard has been a boon to my struggle because it has meant that besides my daily meditation, I encounter people with a fervent dedication to the Way. And so my strength is rekindled. Thank you all for that, even Kurt, who wants to perfume my grave with the scent of his thinly disguised hatred. Elizabeth is right Kurt, no matter what you think of my views, your hate is wrong -- completely wrong. I mean, whether or not you folks think I'm hell bound or not, it seems to me that not only for my sake, in fact perhaps least of all for my sake (if you don't want to consider me among you), but for your own sakes, you should be sharing your personal "states of war" more. You are all fighting valiant struggles in the darkness, and yes, there is but one Light. So, I say, raise your swords together, we all need all the help we can get. Yes, yes, I know, sins are all forgiven, etc.etc., but if you have held these beliefs for more than a tiny amount of time, you also know that temptation continues, bad habits continue, wrongdoing too can continue, and you also know that it is not in your interests to hold any of these habits, forgiven or not. So that is all I had to say. Thank you Matt.