Oh, Joe, what about all of the church "fathers" who participated in the Inquisition; all of the church members, Protestant & Catholic, in Ireland who kill each other; the Muslims who do go to worship on a regular basis or Isrealis, etc. etc. I don't agree that most don't attend services. And, they are usually follwing the examples their leaders have preached to them.

Also, I thoguht I was being careful enough that I did NOT mean I thought Jon W. was preaching to me.

I don't care if you wish me a Merry Christmas, or mention J.C., but I would also like to be able to wish someone a Merry Solstice and mention the "god of my heart" without feeling like I might be persecuted for not being mainstream. A Wiccan friend of mine, here, in the USA, had his home firebombed because he was perceived to be abnormal by some "well-meaning" fundamentalists.

No offense, but Christianity has, as men have (YES! I am a feminist and proud of it!), been "on top of the world" for a long time, i.e. in power/control, with plenty of time and opportunity to oppress women and anyone who was not of like mind. When I hear Christians complaining about there now being more vocal diversity, I feel they need to be a bit more tolerant and understand that oppression will not continue to the detriment of those of us who may call ourselves something other than what they think is correct.

I believe Jesus, the Buddha, etc. were ALL great teachers and Avatars. They acted as the direct teachers and disciples, if you will, of God, the Supreme Being/Great Spirit, whatever. Jesus was probably the greatest of these. I hope you are right. I hope that our world does come to experience the peace and love that he taught and which, in my mind, have been so grossly misinterpreted by his followers, used more for their own means and end, rather than selflessly, as he set an example of. I don't believe he ever meant for his teachings to be use to oppress, to gain wealth and pwoer, all of which church "fathers" have traditionally used it for.

In this country, we have people who call themselves Christian, who attend church, and then tell the rest of us that we will burn in hell for not believing as they do; or the really extreme ones who would like to annihilate myself and many others whom they are so fearful of.

Most of my family consider themselves to be Christians. You know that I respect you and value your opinions, as well as that of everyone else's. Again, what I am trying to say is: be tolerant of the rest of us. Do not tell me a certain way is the only way. BTW, Joe, since you are close to Rosicrucian Park, next time you are up that way, you might wnat to check out the following books which are sold in the Alexandria Bookstore, there: The Secret Doctrines of Jesus & The Mystical Life of Jesus, both by H. Spenser Lewis. For anyone else who is interested, they can be ordered by phone at 1-888-767-2278.

Whether you agree with them or not, they are interesting reading. Boy, I've put my foot in it now, haven't I? Last time I ever "discussed" religion was in 1973, with a now ex-brother-in-law, who told me into half of the night that I was going to hell for not being a member of his church. And, I was Christian at the time! I promised never to discuss it, again, and now here I am! I don't know who is sorrier, me or you all for having to listen! Sorry:->

From the opinionated katlaughing