Robert, NO! I don't really mean the title I gave this but I couldn't think of a better way to illustrate how shocked I was to read the subject of the posting attached below. While I have passed on reading the vast majority of the threads about the WTC I have to say that of the few I've read, this thread about Falwell is the #1 example of hate mongering I have yet to see on the PDML--and I don't even like Falwell. I think he has reflected very poorly on religion, Christianity, evangelicals and even Jesus. I don't know enough about Pat Robertson to have an opinion. In short, the title of the the thread "Too Bad Falwell Wasn't in WTC" offends my sensitivities and my beliefes. In it I read that you would wish violent deaths on people with whom you disagree. I don't know how much longer the list as a whole will tolerate the many tangents the WTC conversations have taken and I am trying hard here not to unleash a flame war between us that would take days to extinguish, but I would like the open a door for a little more discussion, on list or off. I'm hoping you will respond with something like, "I didn't really mean it the way you took it" so we can call the whole thing a misunderstanding and move on. I don't necessarily agree with Mr. Falwell's remarks as quoted, and I'm trying not to turn this into a discussion about what Christians believe but I guess I'll just state that as far as I know it is not inconsistent with traditional Christian belief that God might withold his protection from his people and might even bring punishment upon them when they engage in disobedience. Further, I'll state that as far as I know classifying as disobedience at least two of the items listed, homosexuality and abortion, are not inconsistent with traditional Christian belief. Billy Graham's wife is commonly attributed with a quote that loosely goes something like this, If God does not someday bring a severe judgement on the United States then he will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. (Sorry Mrs. Graham, if I messed it up.) If you disagree with Falwell and Robertson, I can understand that--but, to wish them violent deaths, in my thinking is way more vicious than what they have said. Kevin L. Thornsberry (P.S. Again I want make sure everyone understands the title was just an attention getter. I don't really mean it. I'm hoping the same is true for Robert James and his title) (P.P.S. FWIW - there is no constitutional separation of church and state, merely this simple statement - "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.") -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 10:11 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Too Bad Falwell Wasn't In WTC As many Americans have known for years, extreme religious fundmentalists that think they speak for god and that their religions are more important than people's human rights, are truly the greatest evil on earth. Fundamentalist Chrilstians, Jews and Muslims are all bascially the same evil in different clothing.........arrogant, ignorant and hate mongers. Subject: Falwell is SICK > God Gave U.S. 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says > > Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most > prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties > groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear > partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their > actions have turned God's anger against America. > > "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to > give us probably what we deserve," said Falwell, appearing yesterday on > the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club," hosted by Robertson. > > "Jerry, that's my feeling," Robertson responded. This isn't as disgusting as what the terrorists did, but it's disgusting. The most ironic thing about these vicious morons is that their attitudes are so far, far, far away from any accepted understanding of Christian behavior. They ought to read what Jesus said for a change and try to make at least a token attempt to understand what Jesus believed in. Falwell and Robertson's attitude has much more in common with the blind fanaticism of Osama bin Laden and the radical muslims than it does with the rest of America, or with real Christianity. I continue to be grateful for our constitutional separation of church and state. - --Mike >> - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
