FM> Depends on what and who you mean by "Christian."  What you are
 FM> describing is, as far as I know, the habit of untutored (I'm being kind)
 FM> "Christian" Fundamentalists, bible-thumpers and assorted other types.
 FM> On the Fidonet echoes it MAY be the only "Christians" you've encountered
 FM> because they tend to be the noisiest and most vociferous. That can be
 FM> misleading.
 WE> Will the true Christian stand up?  Christians have a habit of denying
 WE> Christians they don't approve of the epitaph Christian.  I've had
 WE> Christians tell me that the pope wasn't a Christian.
 WE> Yes, but it weren't Jehovah, it was a muse.
   That is in large part what I meant by "untutored."  "Jehovah" is not a 
ord
in the vocabulary of scholars, Christian or otherwise.  Also, confusing as it
seem to be, it is true that not all of those who eschew the banner of
"Christian" would fit under "atheist" either.  There is also openness and
scientific suspension of judgement in matters where there MIGHT be truth 
mong
a assortment of truths.  This requires much mental self-discipline and 
espect
for thoughtful positions held by others.  The tetragramaton was a meaningful
advance for the time to which it refers and it refers to a discovery within
the play of polytheISM-monotheISM (not very happy terms either) as 
ignificant
as those isolated by the ancient Greek philosophers in their discovery of the
Oneness of being - thus indicating a world increasingly open to science.  
 FM> There are also several different brands of "Atheism."  I don't find the
 FM> term any more descriptive for my purposes and thought than "Christian"
 FM> except that "Christian" designates in some contexts a historical
 FM> movement.
 WE> Atheism is a minority movement recovering from centuries of
 WE> international persecution.
   My strong suspicion is that it is just the opposite.  I don't find any
evidence in the history of mankind to indicate that the majority in ANY epoch
were ever greatly concerned with the possibility that there might REALLY be a
judgement on human conduct such as Plato outlines in his consciously literary
tool of the "myth of the judgement."  Plato's answer to the sophistic 
eaching
was:
         1.  The gods DO exist.
         2.  They DO care about people.
         3.  They CANNOT be bribed (changed by prayer, ritual, etc. on the
part of people)
   It is obviously quite possible to live a lifetime and NEVER encounter
spirtuality on that elevated a level.  
Sincerely, 
                                     Frank
                                                                              
                                                       
--- PPoint 2.05
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