[Vision2020] Missing the point

[keely emerinemix]

I don't believe that Nick or anyone else agrees that everything is equally 
valuable or virtuous and that there is no such thing as a "bad" thing or 
belief.  And I know that there are things Nick wouldn't tolerate, just like 
none of us would -- for example, the hypocrisy and bad judgment of a pastor 
naming as suspects in the alleged vandalism of his home a handful of people 
whose real crime seems only to be having the temerity to disagree with him 
publicly.

Some of them even use their real names, strangely enough.  But I digress ...

My point is that a vigorous, robust debate about the nature of absolutism, 
sin, atonement and epistemology can be conducted without nastiness and 
without hiding behind anonymity.  I've had many of those debates myself and 
look forward some day to having them again, perhaps even with my friend Nick 
Gier.  On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine a civil discussion, 
much less a lively debate, with someone whose bellicose belligerence 
obscures even the cogent, reasonable points he makes, and who, after 
bellowing and braying, has the gall to ride off into the sunset without 
anyone knowing his name.  Princess Sushitushi has made some strong 
apologetic points about the atonement, but they're hard to remember in the 
snarling psuedo-sanctimonious buckshot he's sprayed throughout the salon, 
without exercising even the minimal courtesy of using his real name.

My goodness, Princess -- step out from behind the curtain and introduce 
yourself, will you?

keely


From: "Taro Tanaka" <taro_tanaka at hotmail.com>
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Missing the point
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 22:00:45 +0000

As usual, Keely, Nick, Joe, etc. miss the point.

I'm not surprised when a non-Christian disagrees with Christian doctrine.
Rather, that is to be expected. Furthermore, I'm not suggesting that Nick
Gier is some sort of a sordid, utterly unlikeable character. In fact, I have
no doubt that the people I criticize on V2020 are all quite likeable.

My main point in writing is to expose hypocrisy: the intolerance of
so-called "tolerance." Nick, along with others on V2020, claims to be
espousing respect for all religious beliefs. I showed 1) that such a thing
is not even possible, and 2) that the limits of Nick's tolerance end where
claims for the crown rights of Jesus begin; basically, Nick is able to
tolerate anything EXCEPT a fully orbed, biblically faithful Christianity.

I might add that I'm not surprised when anyone -- regardless of religious
perspective -- manifests hypocrisy, because that is what sinners (i.e.,
human beings) do. But it does need to be pointed out. In order to be
positive, we first have to "go negative." The good news of Jesus the Messiah
is really good because the bad news is really bad: we are sinners in need of
salvation. Our righteousness falls short of the glory of God.

-- Princess Sushitushi

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