<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>In a message dated 9/14/01 6:43:10 PM !!!First Boot!!!, willets@bellatlantic.net writes:
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<BR><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">, *more* respect for religious traditions, and more religion in our culture and society. Not less of it.
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<BR>Aye,
<BR>Eogan </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="arial" LANG="0">
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<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Greetings, Good Eogan and all the Patrons of the Tavern,
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<BR>I certainly agree with your message of tolerance, but am a little confused about the paragraph shown above. Are you advocating more Theocracies? Or just more religion? What kind of religion? Not compulsory, I hope. The English went down that road, once, and found it a stoney path, indeed. I am sure that this is not news to you, good Scot that you are. In touring Scotland, I lamented the empty niches in so many Kirks and Churches, mute reminders of Cromwell's Protectorate and its persecution of "idolatry". Religion and government do not mix easily. Hence our own Constitution prohibits the Government from establishing an official religion. I think that this is probably for the best. By all means, practice your religion with dedication and fervor. But, if you please, do not try to make it the Law of the Land. In grateful appreciation, I have the honor to be,
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<BR>In Service to Caer Mear and Atlantia,
<BR>Werhener
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<BR>PS: I believe that the Good AhsaHito is suffering the same frustration with the senseless violence of the world that prompted my post of yesterday. I sympathize with his frustration, although I may not agree with his solution. Limitting the conflict to religious terrorists leaves the job to be done again..and again...and again. The slaughter of innocents must stop, whether the cause be religious or political. WvI
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<BR>I am in no way advocating forced theocracies. I am certainly saying that forcably prohibiting governments from being based on a religion is not the kind of work we or anyone else needs to be involved in.
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<BR>Religion is not the cause of this week's atrocities. Misunderstanding of, and abuse of religion, certainly. But not religion itself.
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<BR>Aye,
<BR>Eogan
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<BR>Tighearn Eoghan Og mac Labhrainn, CP
<BR>http://www.albanach.org
<BR>Sacred Stone Pursuivant
<BR>Web Master et A&S Minister for the Canton of Hawkwood
<BR>"Checky Or & Vert, two lions combatant, tails knowed, in base a mouse couchant, all within an orle of roundels, Argent."</FONT></HTML>