First of all, I would like to commend Banjo Johnny who though a guest has captured something in a phrase that I have enjoyed about the Mudcat since I discovered it last December. Some threads are about music, others are "discussion(s) among musicians". Unless you believe that you can have music that is value free, or morality neutral, I would suggest that any discussion related to understanding other's values and view point is relevant to making better music.
About the subject raised by Praise:
I can understand the need among some people to apologize for the actions of groups with which they are affiliated. That is why I do not affiliate easily. I think it is also good to point out that "Christianity" is not monolithic; there are factions of all sorts within all religious organizations. It's good to hear that there are Christians who are aware that their beliefs do not place them above criticism or beyond need for improvement.
My problem with Christianity, and with all institutionalized religions for that matter, is dogma. Here in Chicago, the Catholic establishment has long been noted for being slightly out of step with Rome. But no matter how far from the "party line" the Chicago clergy strays, there are defined limits that they cannot cross without leaving the church. Those lines are drawn in Catholic dogma, and unless unthinkable changes are made to the dogma, women will always be second class, the sexual nature of mankind will always be repressed, and the world will always be divided between those who accept and those who reject the teachings of the church. Religious dogma is not always rooted in the teachings of the founder; it most often is a result of the need to institutionalize the religion as it grows. Whenever anything is institutionalized, there is a risk that the core or essence of it will be lost. If youdon't believe that, just look at rock and roll. As religious movements grow into organized, institutionalized sects, choices are inevitably made that are designed to further the institution only, rather than deepen the belief. The traditional western religions spend much too much time defending their turf, IMHO. Where is Christ in all this? I'm damned if I know. Literally.
I think a lot of non-Christians, as someone pointed out, do object to the "in your face" quality of some Christians. But they have to remember that Christianity is an apostolic belief - Christians have a mandate, at the cost of their soul, to spread the word. If I believed that my eternal soul was at risk, I'd take that pretty seriously. Unfortunately, some people see that mandate as being mutually exclusive with tolerance of other's beliefs. And that's the rub.
At any rate, I hope I haven't offended anyone's beliefs in my post. That was never my intent. Praise, I appreciate your apology for the spirit in which it is offered. But no one who sincerely adheres to the tenets of their belief system should ever feel the need to apologize.