Comments on: An open letter to my (remaining) religious readers http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/ An American Expatriate - Stepping Up From Down Under Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:39:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: NATUI http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5042 NATUI Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:48:27 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5042 Dude, I hate that I've been so out of the loop. Here is the best I can do in a short period on a foreign computer: We had both kids baptized in the Catholic church because for all its flaws and for all the tons of things I don't agree on it is 'what I know'. And here is the key to it: It is what I know; therefore, I know the shit storm that is coming and can temper it with what WE believe and how to sift throught the shit they are going to hear. My theory (as flawed as it is), is that the Catholic church is a known evil. If we were to 'switch' to another church or expression of faith, I would not know the pitfalls. In the Catholic church, I do. I want my kids to grow up with a base. Something to compare the rest of their religious knowledge/experiences to. In giving them a start with our version of Catholicism (and most would not consider me to be a good Catholic) they can use it for a springboard to make an informed decision. Do they like it? Stay with it. They don't like it? Discover what they DO like and make that change. There is more to it, but I'm on borrowed time here. Wish I could have a beer with you and Dr. O'C and express myself properly. Dude, I hate that I’ve been so out of the loop. Here is the best I can do in a short period on a foreign computer:

We had both kids baptized in the Catholic church because for all its flaws and for all the tons of things I don’t agree on it is ‘what I know’. And here is the key to it: It is what I know; therefore, I know the shit storm that is coming and can temper it with what WE believe and how to sift throught the shit they are going to hear. My theory (as flawed as it is), is that the Catholic church is a known evil. If we were to ’switch’ to another church or expression of faith, I would not know the pitfalls. In the Catholic church, I do. I want my kids to grow up with a base. Something to compare the rest of their religious knowledge/experiences to. In giving them a start with our version of Catholicism (and most would not consider me to be a good Catholic) they can use it for a springboard to make an informed decision. Do they like it? Stay with it. They don’t like it? Discover what they DO like and make that change. There is more to it, but I’m on borrowed time here. Wish I could have a beer with you and Dr. O’C and express myself properly.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5040 Ryan Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:51:56 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5040 Amen, brother. "To each their own" I always say...unless, of course, they're religious. It's a personality flaw, but it's one of many, and I see no point in giving it precedence over the others. But, like you, just because I disagree with a person's spiritual-outlook, well, that doesn't mean we can't have a coffee and talk baseball. Or movies. Or about me. <em>Maybe</em> about them...it depends. Anyway, whatever. We've all got our ways of looking at things, and, as you know, opinions are like assholes: brown, shaped like a starfish, and really, really smelly. Again, whatever. All I know is that I've missed coming here; I'll be back as soon as humanly fucking possible. Love Ry* *Dude, it's <em>hetero</em> love, man. Didn't you know I was a goddamned dirty hippie? That's right - I'm completely against the concept of bras...unless I'm wearing one in drag. Ryans last blog post..<a href="http://ryanofthezeitgeist.blogspot.com/2008/09/mic-check-one-two-one-two.html" rel="nofollow"></a> Amen, brother.

“To each their own” I always say…unless, of course, they’re religious. It’s a personality flaw, but it’s one of many, and I see no point in giving it precedence over the others. But, like you, just because I disagree with a person’s spiritual-outlook, well, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a coffee and talk baseball. Or movies. Or about me. Maybe about them…it depends.

Anyway, whatever. We’ve all got our ways of looking at things, and, as you know, opinions are like assholes: brown, shaped like a starfish, and really, really smelly.

Again, whatever. All I know is that I’ve missed coming here; I’ll be back as soon as humanly fucking possible.

Love Ry*

*Dude, it’s hetero love, man. Didn’t you know I was a goddamned dirty hippie? That’s right - I’m completely against the concept of bras…unless I’m wearing one in drag.

Ryans last blog post..

]]> By: Florida Girl In Sydney http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5035 Florida Girl In Sydney Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:55:59 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5035 Btw- I've added you to my Australian Blogroll. Florida Girl In Sydneys last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/FloridaGirlInSydney/~3/396859961/things-worth-telling.html" rel="nofollow">Things Worth Telling</a> Btw- I’ve added you to my Australian Blogroll.

Florida Girl In Sydneys last blog post..Things Worth Telling

]]> By: Vol Abroad http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5030 Vol Abroad Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:12:59 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5030 Hey, did you get your boy an orange trike? Excellent! Vol Abroads last blog post..<a href="http://thevolabroad.blogspot.com/2008/09/buddy-encounters-squirrel-and-two-new.html" rel="nofollow">Buddy encounters a squirrel, and two new toys</a> Hey, did you get your boy an orange trike? Excellent!

Vol Abroads last blog post..Buddy encounters a squirrel, and two new toys

]]> By: Vera http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5026 Vera Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:20:26 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5026 You know what's funny. That in Italy, *the* Catholic country, in a sense, people are waaaaaaaay less religious than elsewhere. Sure, every kid gets baptized, and people marry in the church, etc. But noone takes the Church, or the Pope, too seriously. And correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the US the country with most regular church-goers? Here is how I see it, and I am talking about Christianity b/c it's the only one I know. There is religion in the sense of world-view. So people are christian [lower-case 'c'] because their values come from Christianity. If you were raised in a christian country you imbibed those values automatically. And then there are Christians, who believe in "One God, the Father Almighty..." [the Nicene creed], who must believe that Christ had died and was resurrected, by definition. Being born an atheist (in a socialist country) I have been lucky enough to get to know a handful of amazingly smart and well-read believers (only one priest among them), and the vistas that opened up are amazing. Many of my scientists/academics friends throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to Christianity. It is not a simple and trivial 'opium for the people', it is a well-developed sophisticated philosophy, to say the least. On the other hand, just saying that one is religious is meaningless. Or, to paraphrase CS Lewis, I'd much rather play cards with an honest non-believer than a crooked Christian whiz. Oh, and Clizia isn't baptized either. I (a Christian Orthodox) want her to be baptized by the only priest I respect and he is in the US, and my husband (a Catholic) doesn't want her in the Catholic church 'machine'. We both think she needs to decide for herself when she is able to do so. Lot more I can say here on things like imposing your will/deciding for another (both priests and politicians), separation of church and state, church in politics, ... but it's too long as is, and it's your blog. So you can say what you like. And I like it not because I agree with you on everything (though I seem to on an awful lot) but because I can learn something. You know what’s funny. That in Italy, *the* Catholic country, in a sense, people are waaaaaaaay less religious than elsewhere. Sure, every kid gets baptized, and people marry in the church, etc. But noone takes the Church, or the Pope, too seriously. And correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the US the country with most regular church-goers?

Here is how I see it, and I am talking about Christianity b/c it’s the only one I know. There is religion in the sense of world-view. So people are christian [lower-case ‘c’] because their values come from Christianity. If you were raised in a christian country you imbibed those values automatically. And then there are Christians, who believe in “One God, the Father Almighty…” [the Nicene creed], who must believe that Christ had died and was resurrected, by definition.

Being born an atheist (in a socialist country) I have been lucky enough to get to know a handful of amazingly smart and well-read believers (only one priest among them), and the vistas that opened up are amazing. Many of my scientists/academics friends throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to Christianity. It is not a simple and trivial ‘opium for the people’, it is a well-developed sophisticated philosophy, to say the least. On the other hand, just saying that one is religious is meaningless. Or, to paraphrase CS Lewis, I’d much rather play cards with an honest non-believer than a crooked Christian whiz.

Oh, and Clizia isn’t baptized either. I (a Christian Orthodox) want her to be baptized by the only priest I respect and he is in the US, and my husband (a Catholic) doesn’t want her in the Catholic church ‘machine’. We both think she needs to decide for herself when she is able to do so.

Lot more I can say here on things like imposing your will/deciding for another (both priests and politicians), separation of church and state, church in politics, … but it’s too long as is, and it’s your blog. So you can say what you like. And I like it not because I agree with you on everything (though I seem to on an awful lot) but because I can learn something.

]]> By: SSG http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5024 SSG Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:50:56 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5024 i been away and missed the agro, but it's good to get what you believe down on paper, it makes it feel good. I won't give my opinion on christening, as like you said, it's OK to have faith as long as it doesn't mean you force others to think like you (e.g. by banning books). that's the most difficult thing though isn't it... if *someone* thinks a certain thing is right- e.g. Jesus died for our sins and we can find redemption, or evolution shaped the natural world around us, or communism is the greatest thing ever, or blue is a nicer colour than orange, then don't most people want to "convert" (for want of a better word) people who don't see them same as them, or are most happy to sit and get on with it themselves... it's a difficult line, yeah, with orange and blue it's OK, but you could argue for the case of religion they want to save others, or their belief is converting others is a part of their religion, or way of life, or for the case of governing attitudes, that convincing others will make the world a better place... man it's difficult i been away and missed the agro, but it’s good to get what you believe down on paper, it makes it feel good. I won’t give my opinion on christening, as like you said, it’s OK to have faith as long as it doesn’t mean you force others to think like you (e.g. by banning books). that’s the most difficult thing though isn’t it… if *someone* thinks a certain thing is right- e.g. Jesus died for our sins and we can find redemption, or evolution shaped the natural world around us, or communism is the greatest thing ever, or blue is a nicer colour than orange, then don’t most people want to “convert” (for want of a better word) people who don’t see them same as them, or are most happy to sit and get on with it themselves… it’s a difficult line, yeah, with orange and blue it’s OK, but you could argue for the case of religion they want to save others, or their belief is converting others is a part of their religion, or way of life, or for the case of governing attitudes, that convincing others will make the world a better place… man it’s difficult

]]> By: Agnes http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5019 Agnes Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:01:04 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5019 Couldn't have said it better myself! That's why I don't watch loads of TV. I am totally addicted to Grand Designs on the ABC though. Am sure there are worse vices to be had! Agness last blog post..<a href="http://itallstarted.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/contrast-podcast-covers/" rel="nofollow">I love the odd cover</a> Couldn’t have said it better myself! That’s why I don’t watch loads of TV. I am totally addicted to Grand Designs on the ABC though. Am sure there are worse vices to be had!

Agness last blog post..I love the odd cover

]]> By: Joe http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5018 Joe Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:53:05 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5018 I'd say it's a little better than emoticons, but the bigger point is that it's much better than deleting parts of your post because you worry it may be misunderstood. Joes last blog post..<a href="http://joegearhart.blogspot.com/2008/09/farmer-brown-is-drunken-hole.html" rel="nofollow">Farmer Brown is a drunken A-hole</a> I’d say it’s a little better than emoticons, but the bigger point is that it’s much better than deleting parts of your post because you worry it may be misunderstood.

Joes last blog post..Farmer Brown is a drunken A-hole

]]> By: admin http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5016 admin Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:18:52 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5016 Chris - have you seriously gotten e-mails like that? Even the e-mail I got wasn't threatening, just disappointed. I thought your "political" writing has been brilliant. And your 9/11 post for that matter. Read the comments here, fuck 'em, write what you want you'll get more readers than you'll lose with passionate writing. Agnes - you and Dr. O'C wouldn't get along very well. We have to work around Home & Away on a daily basis. What is it about Aussie TV anyway? Why does it suck so bad? It's just American reality shows and then Australian versions of American reality shows. Thanks for your words by the way. Angel and Jessica - Obviously I'm going to have to try harder if I'm not offending you yet. Nathan - You may not want to read my post on Monday then - working title "How American Commercialism Has Destroyed The World As We Know It" Gypsy - Shh. I do too. Joe - Is that better than emoticons? ;) :( :-( ;)< Courtney - That's cause sarcasm is lazy. But then I am a lazy man. Chris - have you seriously gotten e-mails like that? Even the e-mail I got wasn’t threatening, just disappointed. I thought your “political” writing has been brilliant. And your 9/11 post for that matter. Read the comments here, fuck ‘em, write what you want you’ll get more readers than you’ll lose with passionate writing.

Agnes - you and Dr. O’C wouldn’t get along very well. We have to work around Home & Away on a daily basis. What is it about Aussie TV anyway? Why does it suck so bad? It’s just American reality shows and then Australian versions of American reality shows.

Thanks for your words by the way.

Angel and Jessica - Obviously I’m going to have to try harder if I’m not offending you yet.

Nathan - You may not want to read my post on Monday then - working title “How American Commercialism Has Destroyed The World As We Know It”

Gypsy - Shh. I do too.

Joe - Is that better than emoticons? ;) :( :-( ;)<

Courtney - That’s cause sarcasm is lazy. But then I am a lazy man.

]]> By: courtney http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5014 courtney Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:31:35 +0000 http://www.afreeman.org/2008/09/18/an-open-letter-to-my-remaining-religious-readers/#comment-5014 I agree with all the above comments; you should feel free to write what you want and let people make of it what they will. It's your forum. But if you'd rather switch gears, that's also your call. I'll keep reading. I also think sarcasm is the hardest thing to convey in writing. courtneys last blog post..<a href="http://malfeasance-courtney.blogspot.com/2008/09/hi-ho-hi-ho.html" rel="nofollow">Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho</a> I agree with all the above comments; you should feel free to write what you want and let people make of it what they will. It’s your forum. But if you’d rather switch gears, that’s also your call. I’ll keep reading.

I also think sarcasm is the hardest thing to convey in writing.

courtneys last blog post..Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho

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