I've heard a few remarks that I thought were rather uncharitable and condescending, but I've brushed them off now.
Did my post in this thread count as uncharitable and condescending?
Mine probably did
, I somehow have a reputation for being anti-Christian, which I do find bizarre (and somewhat distressing).
Not intended to be, people should be allowed to believe what they want to believe no matter how odd it may look from the outside. But as with any 'belief system' that I do not hold with, I can see no reason why it cannot be poked, investigated, delved into or sacrificed on the alter of good old fashioned scientific thought
But it is worth pointing out that my educational (and interest) background is Medieval Christianity and earlier spiritual cultures.
My viewpoint is best summed up in the idea of hanging pigs because they could be witches. Even in deepest darkest America, this is unlikely to take place today (one hopes), but 400 years ago they used to do this near to where I sit now. It was common, it fitted with the belief system of the day. Today, it appears crazy because a man is not misled by a pig.
There is nothing wrong with either viewpoint (apart from the pig’s perspective). They are both right, because of the time they took place in.
I am what can only be described as a seeker. I delve into 'truth' to try and find what is really there, if it is divinely sanctioned or if it is designed by man for the time he or she is in. This does not mean I look at viewpoints like
Whistler’s in a smug self-righteous way. I don't, infact I look with envy because he has found something that eludes me, and bugs me. I doubt I will ever find out, but will almost certainly spend my life searching.
Having said all that, this quest of mine is personal (as should everybody’s) and the one thing that really bugs me is evangelising. Sorry everybody, but it does.
Somebody once wrote, I think it was a 17th century Anabaptist pamphlet, that they did not want Catholics or Protestants praying for them, because their prayers would contaminate the writer when he went to be judged. This really struck a cord with me, what right has anybody to impose religious views on anybody else? They may think they are saving them, but are they really (even if the saver is sure, the reality is that they may not be).