[Mb-civic] Richard-The 'A's have it!

[Ian]

Lyle:

You have just said to Richard that "Perhaps I got the 'A's' mixed up-I surely believe in a GOD."  Yet just two e-mails ago you stated: "I do not know if there is a GOD."

So what, exactly, do you believe?  Or do you not know what you believe?  Or is it simply impossible for you to keep it consistent?  I ask because I am apparently not the only one who is confused by the ever-changing statements you make about your belief system.  Is it constantly in flux?  Does "growing" to you imply "going where the wind blows" vis-a-vis spiritual philosophies and belief systems?  Does it mean subscribing to a moral relativism determined on a moment-to-moment basis based on what piece of what philosophy you have chosen to "add" or "subtract" from your belief system?  I am not being flip.  I really would like to know.

You also state: "even if I were an athesist, is that an opening to demean those that are(mean spirited)?"  As I noted to Barbara, if you go back through all our e-mails (and I have them all, and have done so), you will find that it is YOU who have been consistently demeaning, denigrating and negative about MY faith (the Judeo-Christian construct), as well as my believing in that faith.  You have made continuous disparaging remarks about it.  Yet I have not, until today, said a single negative word about your particular belief system.  And you now have the gall to call me "mean," and accuse me of "grandstanding?"

I do not question your experiences.  What I question is your hypocrisy: claiming a high degree of enlightenment, yet finding it perfectly okay to denigrate other people's belief systems, and throw insults at them for believing in them, as you have done with me ad nauseam since this discussion began.

Nor am I look for anyone to "rescue" me.  I am not the one who needs rescuing.  You are drowning in a sea of your own inconsistencies, desperately clinging to a raft comprised of the mish-mash of ever-changing spiritual precepts that you claim as the basis of your belief system.  If anyone is transparent here, it is you.  At least I remain consistent - internally and otherwise - within my belief system, even if others do not believe in that belief system.

I have never denied you your "equal part in this discussion" or "not allowed" you "your vision."  Indeed, as you refer to it as a "discussion," this automatically implies two-sidedness.  Show me where I have ever denied you "your part" or "your vision."

And "not allowed you "unfettered and equal time?"  How on God's great earth could I "fetter" you in cyberspace, or deny you equal time when you can post as often as you like - and have done so?  What kind of phony accusation is this?  Methinks you are unraveling, my friend, since your accusations are getting more and more bizarre and insupportable.

As for my ministry, my "walking the talk," etc., since you have no idea what I do or have done, or how often, or for whom, posing those questions in what can only be seen as a sarcastic way is yet another example of your inability to engage me in anything other than a demeaning, combative manner.  And this says far more about you than it does about me.

I reiterate again - since it goes to the crux of this discussion - that you have consistently demeaned, denigrated and disparaged the belief system I believe in (the Judeo-Christian construct), as well as making snide and occasionally insulting comments about my believing in it.  Yet, until today, I did not make one single negative comment about your belief system.

Based on that alone, (i) how can you possibly claim a "moral high ground," or even some level of "higher enlightenment," and (ii) to whom does the word "mean" properly apply?

I feel enormously saddened by what is occurring, because it shows the lengths you will go to to justify yourself, and to rationalize your behavior.  And this, in turn, shows just how hard it is for you to look inward and admit to any misstatement, or any inappropriate words or behavior.

And yes, I can love you and feel sad (and even annoyed) at the same time.

Peace.
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