Nor should it be, Rig. Your choice to be a Presbyterian reflects on your views of spiritual matters. Traditionally, the underlying assumptyion is that sensitivity to some kind of spiritual sensitivity makes an individual a better human, more open to such things as ethics, justice, and beauty. However, the absolute respect for self-determination in such matters is the only workable way to implement that principle in a free society. At least, I can't think of a more workable one.

The problem gets multiplied inordinately and unnecessarily when spiritual interest or curiosity is automatically associated with one or another sets of silly icons, bizarre predictions, and far-out (and unfounded) assertions about how the world must be.


A