Ya know ,before I even start your arguments read like the type of person who knows the exact *price*, down the farthing , of something while posseesing nothing of its *worth*. Or of a lawyer who can argue the finer points of the letter of the law and completely ignore its spirit.

For example: (quote) "Therefore, no belief equals no grace equals no healing."

Give us all a break ,will ya please.

That said here's your latest list of f blatant falacies:

(quote) "But what I and some other people posting to this thread have been saying is that what we *choose* to sing should not be based solely on what *you/they/the culture* have decided that it should mean to us (a "living tradition")."

Try and understand this. *No one* is *forcing you to do *anything*. You are free to do , or not do ,whatever the hell you want. You're free to object till your finger turn blue , but you can't diminish its importance and relevence. Get over it already.

The song does not have any particular meaning meaning on me. I *am* more familiar with the melody without the words and it's as healing and acts as a carrier wave for whatever words are sung and why you can't acknowledge it as an appropriate work of Americana art is your " ideologically correct* problem

(quote) "I cited the hymn's origins because I don't see it as having strayed from its origins in Christian doctrine in the least."

Well perhaps the problem is what you believe is so abyssmally wrong with Chritstian culture that you would mount such a vehement counter-case against this work as representing Americana. Not a xase of *selective* cultural bigotry on your part I hope.

(quote) "So I have a very strong objection to anyone's using this hymn "

Fine. Objection noted . What's changed?

(quote) "If others *choose* to exclude me from their healing process because they *decided* that I don't have a spirit ..... yada ,yada ,yada."

No one is excluding you. Your pre-condition of anti-Christian culture chauvanism causes you to make a point of excluding yourself. Knock yourself out ,darlin'. Whatever you do or chose not to do is your freedom. I doubt anyone will notice.