But nobody really seems to want to go there, do they?

I DO want to go "there," and in fact I do "go there" often in my own personal spiritual life-- but I don't "go there," much, in this setting, because it can so easily become what is assumed to be an argument.... I much prefer the fascinating process of exploration, discovery, and discernment, and these are easily overwhelmed here despite what I think are usually excellent intentions all around. The internet in general (and the Mudcat in particular) does far too good a job at reinforcing legalism, IMO, and has a ways to go yet on facilitating other approaches.

They do a better job of this at Beliefnet, where there are boards to discuss, argue, and/or explore any and everything there is about spirituality, and where the numbers of informed writers is large enough to get a better spectrum of diversity and expression thereof.

I am not so much interested in who is RIGHT-- God is, and we are fallible-- as I am in becoming a better person, and on keeping others company who are interested in same. Beating up on friends about who is more right, IMO, doesn't help me be a better person, nor (in my experience) anyone else.

~Susan