From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Fri Feb 21 2003 - 16:28:09 GMT
Hi Sam:
> In theology, it's an axiom that only God can be called absolute. Yet I
> agree with you that our decisions, once taken, are irrevocable - and
> therefore partake in what is absolute. Which makes me think that it is our
> decision-making - and only in our decision-making - that we can directly
> participate in God. Which, as Pirsig put it (and as Wim was arguing
> recently) "to the extent that one follows Dynamic Quality, which is
> undefinable, one's behaviour is free." Or - another version - as Augustine
> puts it in a prayer to God, 'in your service is perfect freedom'.
>
> Thing is, nobody else can tell us what is right. "And what is good,
> Phaedrus..." etc. We just have to make our own choices and live or die by
> the consequences.
Well said. Since people learn and grow by suffering the consequences
of their own choices, the Christian and compassionate stance is not to
protect them from the consequences of their bad decisions. Of course,
children have to be protected at early ages, but in school they learn
from their mistakes, preparing them for adult responsibilities. "The
ultimate effect of shielding men from effects of folly is to fill the world
with fools." -- Herbert Spencer. One look at the growth of welfare states
and the consequent "culture of victimization" appears to confirm
Spencer's 19th century concern.
Today we're reaping the whirl-wind of a dominant moral-free, SOM,
atheistic liberalism. Long term I foresee a return of the Dark Ages and a
rebirth of Christianity. Did I say long term? Maybe not, given that today
one terrorist with one bomb can destroy an entire nation.
I applaud your theological connections to the MOQ of which, I agree,
are many and profound. I find your observations and insights most
refreshing.
Platt
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