Wednesday, December 02, 2009

I'm all hung up.

In today's Tribune, Vince Garmon defends Christianity and God against the "hang-ups" of the columnist (me).

LETTERS: Reader respond to columnist’s religious ‘hang-ups’

Roger Baylor has been quite candid about his hang-ups with religion in his columns over the past couple of weeks. I am an evangelical Christian, and I must confess that I do not necessarily agree with a few of Mr. Baylor’s opinions. But, his Nov. 19 and Thanksgiving Day columns have made me think a lot lately about the poor impression that people who call themselves Christians can leave on the rest of the world.
In the end, Vince disagrees with me and I with him, but the significant thing to me is that he actually read what I wrote.

That's shocking. Dave Matthews might want to take heed.

10 comments:

Christopher D said...

I also appreciated the fact that he did so in a fairly respectful manner and took the time to explain why he disagrees with you. But more importantly, he stood up and admitted he was not perfect.

B.W. Smith said...

He took the time to read the column before responding to it and stated his beliefs in an honest, respectful manner.

That's called civility, and it is far more persuasive than the usual evangelical shtick.

Daniel S said...

Heathens, the whole lot of you.

Christopher D said...

Daniel,
It's not that I am irreligious, as suggested by heathenism.
I am simply anti-organized religion, A persons spiritual relationship with the deity of their choice should not be overburdened by the expectations and rituals of others.
I respect all religions equally (including those who choose to have none).

You can blame that aspect of my character on being a recovering Catholic!

Jeff Gillenwater said...

If it matters, I prefer the more southern pronunciation, which would be "heatherns". Though, as a Gen Xer, I'll also sometimes respond to "Heathers".

edward parish said...

What does any of it matter?

What ever you fell in your heart and spend time with family, does any of the so called holiday stuff really amount to anything?

Daniel S said...

Chris you'll always be a heathern in my book, don't confuse me with explanations.

Christopher D said...

Daniel,
An yer just one of them there uppity city christians!

PR Gal said...

Christopher,
I was cool with what you wrote until your last sentence. Maybe it's just me, but your use of "recovering Catholic" has a negative implication that seems to contradict your claim of respecting any and all beliefs. Though I don't share your anti-organized religion stance, I do agree and share your profession of tolerance. I've been guilty of "fill-in-the-blank-denomination" bashing myself, and am trying my best to not go there ever again. Just a thought . . .

Christopher D said...

PR,
Understood, Allow me to clarify:
The term "recovering catholic" was a used about me when I was but a wee one by my Great Uncle "Father" Rt. Rev. Conrad Louis, then Archabbot of St. Meinrad Monastery, after I had pleaded to leave catholic school of my parents when I decided that for me, the pursuit of God and spirituality was better sought in the feilds, woods and streams of the natural world, as opposed to manmade structures.
My family is still a predominately devout Catholic family, with many benedictine Obiates, and Priests still in the business of devotion.
Thank you though for your comments, and I am truly sorry if the "recovering Catholic" thing offended