Subject: The evolution of debate
Date: Aug 15 10:09:58 1999
From: Don Baccus - dhogaza at pacifier.com


At 01:58 AM 8/15/99 -0400, Marie La Salle wrote:

>But I am very surprised to see religion, and Christianity attacked with such
>vehemence on a birders chatline. I am a Christian, and I find no problem
>believing that at some point a process was set in motion that has evolved
>into what we see as the world today, but if I want to discuss that belief
>there are many other places on the web I can go. But somehow I didn't
>expect to have to choose between giving up a great source of knowledge,
>camaraderie and fellowship with people who share a passion for birds, and
>letting what I sensed an attack on anyone with religious beliefs go
>unchallenged.

I'm sorry, but I think it is quite clear that what is being attacked
is "creation science" - not religion per se, and particularly not
Christianity per se.

At least, that's where I'm coming from. I know many Christians, and
most, like you, have no problem reconciling their faith with the
realities of the universe within which we live.

As far as what is and is not appropriate for discussion on this
group, traditionally "tweeters" has not been nearly so limited in
subject matter as many other bird groups.

And, of course, even BIRDCHAT has had a discussion over the Kansas
affiar - led by the list owner himself, who is normally intolerant
of irrelevant threads. He feels this topic is too important to
be ignored.

If anyone has understood my posts to be anti-religion or anti-Christian
in a general sense, my apologies. I'm anti-ignorance, and anti-hypocricy.
Some so-called Christians appear to be willfully ignorant, and certain
professional so-called Christians working for the Institute for Creation
Research are hypocritical lying sacks of bird doo-doo.

I'm not going to back down in my strong dislike of those folks, but at
the same time be assured that I personally have no problem at all
with Christians or Christianity in any general sense.



- Don Baccus, Portland OR <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
Nature photos, on-line guides, Pacific Northwest
Rare Bird Alert Service and other goodies at
http://donb.photo.net.