Hi, Turtle,

I tried to phrase what I said so carefully, because my intention is not to offend or put people off. As I understand it, though, a basic tenet of Christianity is that it *is* the only way. I won't know how God feels about that 'til I meet Him (her, it--if you prefer), if indeed I ever do. I know that what I believe & practice feels right for me. My praying for people is not anything that impacts their lives externally. I usually pray that God will speak to their hearts & minds & that they will be open to understanding & accepting who He is. That is a desire I have for all people, but particularly for those I care about. If you think you have found a high quality of life, don't you want your friends & relatives to have it, too? The thing that troubled me the most about Christianity, that I spent a lot of time thinking about & questioning during my college years was just that--is Christianity the "only way"? I never came to a bottom line & had to content myself w/ leaving it in the hands of God. I just try to walk in the light I have & to treat others as I want them to treat me. I'd be curious to see a post from my fiance who came to Christianity after many years of searching through various religious expressions.

best,

bbc