Aha!

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> [grgaud]

> Jacob,

> Perhaps if you hadn't come here so self-assured that we were wrong and

> you were right. You had us all figured out and compartmentalized, so

> you couldn't possibly have been more open to "constructive criticism".

> In point of fact, you assumed that you knew exactly how we thought and

> why we thought what you assumed we thought. In other words, you were

> so cock-sure that you could come here and impress us with your

> knowledge and wisdom that when it failed, you resorted to dodges and

> bald assertions. "We must define evil and sin" you said, but

> actulally, YOU're the one who has the burden of proof as to the

> Bible's definition of evil and sin, not us.

> 

> If I may make a suggestion, why don't you stop making unfounded

> assertions and get down to defining what YOU believe sin and evil are

> and then back it up with evidence to show that you're right, if indeed

> you are right. We don't care to hear your assertions if they're not

> backed up with evvidence. Do this and you'l go a long way to gaining

> our respect. Continue doing what you've been doing and some on this

> list will just think, to be blunt, that you're a baffoon.


STOLTZFUS
At last!  Truly constructive criticism!  Encouragement without insult! 
My faith is restored.  Whatever you might think, this is the first time
where any criticism has struck me as constructive -- and I truly
appreciate it.

In response, I admit that I came here full of arrogance and pride -- the
very attitudes I accused you of having.  I apologize, and accept my
deserved humiliation.  I will try to make a fresh start -- but it will
be difficult now that you have neatly packaged me based on my previous
behavior.  For my part, I'll drop the accusations and blustering.  My
first thought was that I had to impress you with knowledge and wisdom;
that if I was merely sincere, you would have no respect for me.  Perhaps
I was wrong.  I thought you would be just like all the other skeptical
academics I had dealt with.  I would appreciate it if you would stop
calling me a "fundie" and classifying me thusly, but my own change of
heart is not dependent on that condition.  

Thanks again for proving me wrong and restoring my faith in this
community, as well as my hope that we can accomplish something
worthwhile.

Jacob

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