Re: ONE COMMON FAITH - Dominus Iesus, side-by-side common study (1)

[Sandra Chamberlain]

Gilberto: <> Just in general, it seems very hard to get around 
the issue. Anytime you take a religious group and you want to 
define it, by definition that means setting limits as to who 
is in, and who is out. And unless you simply accept everyone 
who self-identifies, it seems like you  would invariably (even 
if only implicitly) set up some criteria and draw the line in 
a way which excludes at least somebody from the group. <>

Dear Gilberto,
I would agree with you, that there are limitations placed on 
"membership" - similar restrictions apply if you are buying a 
condo or joining a golf club.  Membership implies a 
willingness to work within a prescribed framework.

Agree also, that there are individuals who self-identify with 
a particular belief or group.  I was a self-identified Baha'i 
for a period of several months before I was willing/confident 
enough to make a committment to the organizational framework. 
It's the choice of the individual to be included or not.

lovingly,  Sandra
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