A certain respected Christian theologian / author I've been corresponding with put this claim to me yesterday. I'm wondering if and how any of you folk might respond to it!

daylia, I do understand that you've had a bad experience of organized religion, but don't you think it a stretch to use your experience to characterize the historical influence of organized religion? Surely you know what the pagan, Mediterranean/European world was like before Christianity spread? Virtually every positive development in modern society has its roots in Judeo-Christian teaching.

Is it just me, or is this line of thought really as misguided as it seems? I'd appreciate any input, especially from any of you historically-minded 'Catters.

daylia

PS I thought this fit right in with your topic here, *Laura*, and that you might find it any ensuing discussion informative too ... but if you'd rather, please just say the word and I'll start a new thread.