Peter,

That was a very good posting. I am glad you could
look at Religion for what it is, as a personal faith
and its possible influence on another. I strongly
feel that our education should make us realize such
perceptions. Thank You.

- vishvesh

PS : More than the fact that Eliot was inspired by
Eastern Religions, I respect him for the fact that he
didn't give up his religion and preferred to remain
what he was and explore his roots. For, what a loss
it would have been, if he had converted !



--- Peter Montgomery <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Agreed.
> Frequently when people try to assert their own
> beliefs in words
> it is a sign that they need to validate their own
> beliefs by getting
> others into their particular religiosity's corral.
> People secure in
> their beliefs don't need to do that. Some of the
> most fascinating
> religious discussions of the 20th Century were
> between GK Chesterton
> and George Bernard Shaw. Shaw even said GKC's book
> on him [Shaw] was
> about the best around. When people are secure in
> their own religion,
> the positive dynamic of their faith is an attraction
> of great strength.
> No pushiness is needed. It comes from the heart, and
> has a universality
> to it, even when the words are different from one's
> own. Gandhi would
> be a good example. I personally encountered several
> souls like
> that at St. Michael's University College in Toronto
> in the early
> 1960s. Ettienne Gilson, Marshall McLuhan, and
> Jacques Maritain,
> among others, were very memorable. They have had a
> life
> long effect on me. Eliot had a similar effect
> although not in person.
>
> Cheers,
> Peter
>
> Cheers,
> Peter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vishvesh Obla
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 2004-Nov-10 11:55 AM
> Subject: Re: (OT) To criticize Religion : a case
> study with two online
> petitions
>
> "One can discuss religion
> intelligently
> and meaniingfully very easily, on this site or any.
> The problem comes
> when
> one violates respect by trying to proselytise, or
> even
> playing
> one-up-man-ship."
>
> While 'discussion' of religion itself could create a
> difference as that, what impact would it have when
> it
> is practised? I think it is a shame to man's
> integrity itself, to impose a personal belief, based
> on a personal faith, without having any 'respect'
> for
> a fellow human being (or a 'Pagan' and a 'Kafir' for
> that matter).
>
> --- Peter Montgomery <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > Sometimes it is a question of style. One can
> discuss
> > religion intelligently
> > and meaniingfully very easily, on this site or
> any.
> > The problem comes when
> > one violates respect by trying to proselytise, or
> > even playing
> > one-up-man-ship.
> > Remember the bit about taking the lowest place at
> > the table? He who exalts
> > himself?
> > The truth, as I believe, may indeed be one, but
> each
> > of us has VERY limited
> > perspectives on it. By all means we should cherish
> > our perspectives, and
> > share the
> > values they bring to our lives. The simple truth
> is,
> > we can't make others
> > see our
> > perspectvies. Some may if they want to, but even
> > then there is no way
> > to share the perspective exactly.
> >
> > Sorry to sermonise.
> >
> > Peter
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "William Gray" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 10:02 AM
> > Subject: Re: (OT) To criticize Religion : a case
> > study with two online
> > petitions
> >
> >
> > > Thanks for passing this along. Religious freedom
> > is very important, just
> > like the exchanges we've had on the list over the
> > past week or so. If any of
> > us were an ideological dictator, life would be
> > awful. Part of the beauty of
> > America is that people are allowed to disagree
> with
> > each other and even with
> > government policies. Freedom of speech is a
> > beautiful thing. Of course, true
> > freedom of speech is the ability always to say
> the
> > right thing, something
> > each person no doubt longs for. I wish I had that
> > kind of freedom!
> > >
> > > Best wishes,
> > > Will
> > >
> > > >>> [log in to unmask] 11/09/04 12:18PM >>>
> > >
> >
>
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Announcement/petition.htm
> > >
> > > I came across these two online petitions today.
> I
> > > think it is a very important issue on both sides
> > of
> > > it, for it involves faith on one hand, and
> liberty
> > on
> > > the other. More than the question 'Is religion
> > apart
> > > criticism', I think it raises certain
> fundamental
> > > issues on the nature of religious issues today.
> I
> > > believe it would concern us all here for we are
> > > concerned with 'expression' in general and its
> > bearing
> > > on human life.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________
> > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page.
> > > www.yahoo.com
> >
>
>
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