[Vision2020] RE: answer to melynda

[Eric Engerbretson]

On May 27, 2004, at 3:28 PM, debismith@moscow.com wrote:

> After reader Eric E.'s answer to Melynda, I am more clear on where he 
> stands.
> It it interesting how arrogant, close minded, and self-satisfied he 
> comes off
> while attempting to portray himself as humble, open to others, and 
> generous of
> spirit.
>
> These people need close watching, as they really do have n agenda 
> inimicable to
> those not of their belief system. I, for one, am very put-off by the  
> self-
> righteous conquest-for-your-own-good (where have we heard that 
> before?)tone
> Eric has learned from Doug..
>
> Debi
> Robinson-Smith.

Well, Debbie, what can I say. I apologize that I come off that way to 
you. My only
option to not being perceived as a person-who-thinks-he's-correct is to 
just shut
up whenever someone asks my opinion.

The reason I try so hard to convince others that I am right is because 
since becoming
a Christian I desperately care about people, and want to help them. So 
I try to talk
about what I think is right. Anybody saying what they believe to be 
right could be
described as "self-satisfied", I guess. The only way to not sound 
"arrogant, close minded,
and self-satisfied" would be to start every one of my sentences with 
"I'm not at all sure
this is true, but... my opinion is: "

And I'm not attempting "to portray" myself as "humble, open to others, 
and generous of spirit."
I am trying to BE those things because they are not my nature.  Again, 
I don't know how
to try to be those things without it seeming like I'm trying to be 
those things.

Yes, I do have an agenda that includes changing your mind.  But I'm not 
out to tweak any
noses.

Best regards,

Eric E.