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Brad et. al.<BR>
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I don't think we can realistically expect people to "move on" from discussing the definition of "God" and related concepts in an unmoderated list serve, at least not for long. I expect these issues to be hotly debated for many thousands of years. Most people believe in a "God" or "Gods" or "Goddesses," or worship "spiritual" beings (think Buddha) of one sort or another, and based on this belief, organize their behavior and values, whether rationally or not. These beliefs are fundamental to how societies function all over the world, despite the insistence by many to keep religion out of the sphere of public debate, as though it's a waste of time or rude to critically analyze the basics of belief for the majority of people. And while I may not be able to program a computer chip or explain DNA right this moment, if I chose to not be exposed to debates on religious issues, the delete option for my e-mail is quick and easy, as it should be for anyone who can competently contemplate manipulating DNA.<BR>
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I do think it good for bogus theological pontificating to be challenged publicly! Especially when people who insist on not facing facts, with as ostrich style approach, as they pontificate on their religion, extent this irrational nonsense to politics and economics, helping to elect a fellow believer in pontificating religious dogma, who takes our nation to war and death and destruction, with a certainty of "faith" that utilized blatant lies to mislead the whole nation!<BR>
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Evangelicals in America have extended their propensity to deny facts and logic to politics and war, and this effects everyone! The majority of Evangelicals, it has been determined, believe to be true several of the lies the Bush administration used to take us to war, among these lies that Saddam was tied to 9/11.<BR>
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We are free in the USA to follow any religion we want, and I support this freedom. But when those who follow a particular interpretation of one religion start to use this "faith," and associated habits of thought, to take us all to war, any deficiencies of fact or logic in their approach should be publicly challenged with vigor!<BR>
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Free speech and thought in the public sphere ... it's wonderful!<BR>
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Ted Moffett</FONT></HTML>