From: SDFarmBoy@Pacification.com
Category: Desperate cry for attention
Date: 07 Jan 2000
Time: 23:11:39
Remote Name: 169.203.86.4
...as a Christian who is absolutely in no way offended that you wrote your letter. On the other hand, I feel a strong pull as though I'm being thrown into a pen with "those silly Christians" just because some overly zealous person got all riled up about using the term "X-mas". We're not all stupid and ignorant, nor are we all looking for people to beat up with a big, ugly, religious stick. I apologize for those people who go by the title of "Christian" and apparently have done so to some of people on this board in the past.
FTR: the good book paints a rather different image of how we as Christians should strive to portray ourselves: "They'll know we are Christians by our love." I know that that's quite often not the case, but please don't assume that my faith is being represented by crotchety old hens or any other form of idiocy or hypocrisy.
I sincerely value my faith above all else so it bothers me to see others who claim the same faith as their own, then damage its claims. If you really want to beat the annoying element at their own game, quote the above passage (taken from 1 John) then quote the following, which is written as direct instructions for Christians:
"Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way." (1 Peter 3:15 - The Living Bible translation, which is weak but it's all I had with me)
After quoting those two verses, ask the "Christian" if he/she agrees with those verses. If she says yes, then tell him/her that you're not seeing much love, nor are you asking about their beliefs, so "please don't preach to me." I'm not saying to be rude either, but as a Christian I believe wholeheartedly that this beating others up is biblically wrong. "Hate the sin, but love the sinner" is supposed to be the creed that we live by, whether the "sinner" is a believer or not. Don't be afraid to hold us to it. Even more, I'd appreciate the opportunity to respond as a Christian on your behalf of somebody DOES raise a stink about your letter.
SD(love not war)FarmBoy