MIKERO@CRNLNS (Michael R. Roman) (02/02/90)
I've seen a number of messages from people who leave Christia, explaining why they leave. I'm going to comment on the messages of those who leave, and I'm going to say why I'm staying. Some people say they're leaving because they have too many messages to read. Every message I get like that is one more message *I* have to wade through. Some people say they're leaving because of the negative tone of Christia. Well, that's one more negative message I get to read. Some people say they're leaving because it's time to leave, and that they want to say good bye; I consider these messages to be worth reading. At the end of every service in my church, the priest stands in the back of the church and says in a loud voice "Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord." If the time ever comes for me to leave, I'm going to try to keep that in mind. People have noted (correctly, I think) that other lists are more "civil" than Christia. The message I get from comments like that is that people who subscribe to other lists are more "civilized", and that as Christians, *we* ought to be more civilized. I doubt the truth of those implications. I suspect that those of us who subscribe to Christia are no better or no worse than any other group of people; the important difference between us and other groups of people is that we have Jesus. Figuring out what that means is no small task. So, why is it we are less "civil"? My guess is that it has a lot to do with the fact that Christianity is central to all of us. Something I learned a long time ago (when I had a summer job as a bank teller) is that when you're dealing with something people consider important (in the case of my summer job, money), people tend to get excited about it. I think that almost everybody on this list is serious about their faith and about their Christianity. Discussions *ought* to cut pretty close to the bone. I'd worry if people *didn't* get excited. Christianity is not just a head game; it is spiritual, emotional and mental. I often hear people draw an analogy between a church (which is sort of what we are) and a family, and I think the analogy is apt. If you live with somebody in a family situation for years and years, and you don't get into a fight with them, I have to wonder if there's any spirit there. I figure that disagreements come with the territory here; I suspect we all could learn how to handle our disagreements with each other a little better, but, all things considered, I think that it's better for me to stay than to go. I stay because I think I periodically have something of use to offer, and I see a lot here that does me good. It helps me to write the things I write, both to clarify my thinking and to keep me honest. I like to see the testimonials, the scholarship, the different perspectives, and also, Christia is a good resource for me. I hear about books, films, radio and TV programs that I just would not have come across on my own (I bought books by Theresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich directly because of Christia). Last, but certainly not least, I've made some friends here. for what it's worth, and in faith, Mike Roman
U1A9A@WVNVM (Bernice Tennant) (02/03/90)
Mike,
Thank you for the positiveness of your posting. I think this is a good li
st and I have grown in it and thank God for it. I think your ideas are good an
d it helped me understand why I am staying too!
May God guide us and direct us, Bernice