On 06/11/2007, at 4:42 AM, Dave Land wrote: > > In answer to Ronn's question: They might well see him for what he is: > a hypocrite. And, if they were willing to do so, they would see the > hypocrisy in their own lives, and recognize the need in him and > themselves to seek forgiveness and repentance. > > > Otherwise, they might resort to self-righteousness and post carping > replies to an Internet mailing list.
Difference is, most people don't spend their lives telling other people how to live and then doing the opposite. Most people don't live up to the high values that are espoused by the fire-and-brimstone types, but they're not hypocrites either because they never claim they do. I have a drink, occasionally a few; had sex before marriage (both with my now wife and with others...); dabbled in drugs as a student and still enjoy a joint when there's one on offer; look at porn now and again; swear a bit (and as I grew up in London, use the odd word that is taboo elsewhere...); and so on. And I'm perfectly happy with who I am, because I don't claim to be anything else. I certainly don't claim to be living to some unachievable moral code that somehow at the same time manages to twist every good word attributed to Jesus into a barrage of hatred and lies, and back it up with becoming a caricature of those one professes to hate. I certainly don't sit on the telly and listen to people telling their stories about their own poverty and how they can't pay for the doctor for their sick wife/husband/child and tell them that a $50 offering to God (conveniently mailed via me) will solve their problems, and if it doesn't, well they weren't praying hard enough. Instead, I get involved in my community. At the moment, as well as the other stuff I'm doing, I'm growing a moustache for Movember. Proceeds if you sponsor my mo will go to beyondblue (a depression awareness and support charity) and the Australian Prostate Cancer foundation... If anyone here would like to sponsor me a few aussie dollars, let me know. And I'll make before-and- after pics of my mo available. Charlie _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
