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From: saj@iuvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Vomiting on net.religion - (nf)
Message-ID: <147@iuvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Feb-84 15:28:59 EST
Article-I.D.: iuvax.147
Posted: Wed Feb 15 15:28:59 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 17-Feb-84 02:16:54 EST
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#R:ssc-vax:-69700:iuvax:1700001:000:1493
iuvax!dsaker    Feb  2 16:35:00 1984

In the main I heartily agree with Laura Creighton's reply.  However,
there are a few points I would like to make.

Proving the existence of a historical Jesus is only the first step
( and an extremely tiny one ) towards proving Christianity's
claims as to his divine status.

As for the morally repugnant nature of Christianity, RIGHT ON.  
When you view the suffering (mental and physical) in the world , it is hard
to understand how anyone could regard favourably the supposed Originator
of this state of affairs.  Sure, if we could only be reassured that in the 
end all would be compensated for, that we would all meet in Heaven smiling
joyously, then we could start to talk of His divine love.  But we cannot
begin to imagine how such compensation could be, and the grim tales in the 
Bible inspire us with little hope.

The "not my will but Thy will be done" attitude makes me sick.  How
anyone who is human could even attempt to cast aside his own judgements,
loves and values, I do not understand.  I am giving a purely personal
response here, but it seems to me a moral obligation to look out at the
world, to feel the aching need of an Answer, to live with that distress,
and never to betray one's own loves and values to avoid that distress.
Let us affirm what we value and hold dear; let us feel our needs and make
our demands for justice; and never, never betray these things in order to
ease our days or to assuage the wrath of some outraged deity.

Daryel Akerlind
iuvax!dsaker