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Answer.
In a message dated Wed, 10 Jul 2002 11:24:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, soberman_69 at hotmail_com writes:
> *Sigh* Looking this up for you makes me sad, l'il Kylie. It all reminded
> me of how great, lively, and intelligent the discourse on this list
> frequently was, once upon a time. Perhaps we've all become dumber? Or
> maybe the anti-Christian contingent prevents us from speaking freely?
>
Anti-Christians? Now, about whom could Matt possibly be speaking? Oh, that's right. Me.
I really thought this flame-- yes, Matt, it is a flame, your signature to the contrary notwithstanding-- had died months ago, but before you go giving our lovely new listies a warped idea of what we're really about here, I'd like to say something.
There are no "anti-Christians" here any more than there are anti-Semites, anti-Muslims, anti-Red Sox, anti-Driving-On-The-Lefties, or anti-anything-else-you-care-to-mention, and if there are, they at least usually have the manners to keep such things to themselves. You can put whatever kind of spin you like on it, but what actually happened was merely that those of us who are not Christian simply requested that the weeks-long, constantly-repeating, convoluted, and extremely vocal debates about Christian theology-- which, while undeniably vital and vibrant to those involved Christians on the list, was by nature somewhat exclusionary-- be taken off-list.
Yes, we discuss many, many things on this list. We discuss Annie Dillard, Buffy, favourite CDs, the colour of the sky, and even-- gasp!-- Over the Rhine. But all of those conversations (with the exception, thankfully, of OtR) raise their epistolary heads, last a few days, involve varying numbers of Lostees and some witty banter, and then head off for greener pastures. They teach us more about each other because anyone can join in by virtue of simply being here and human-- anyone can tune in, pick up a book, pop in a CD. How many of us, how many times, have said, "Man, I really got into this band someone here recommended-- thanks!" The same cannot in the same way really be said of the disparate cultures in which we have been variously raised. While it's lovely and enlightening to discover aspects of another's religion when such information is actually solicited, it's mind-numbing to be subjected to its theology in an endless wave. And here on the list, the problem some of us !
had was that the theological debates kept coming, day after day, until they felt relentless and overpowering to those of us not involved. "Use your delete button!" some debaters cried. "Why does this have to be an issue?" other non-debaters responded. Accusations of censorship and persecution were thrown, and some very good people got very tired of the whole thing and left us for good. Then, eventually, the furor died down. Until you decided to bring it back, throwing in, for good measure, the condescending and insulting insinuation that perhaps it is impossible for anyone to debate or discuss intelligently and "freely" if the subject matter isn't Christian in origin.
I've been an active member of this list longer than you have, Matt, and I remember flame wars so vicious that the band had to step in and ask us to cease discussing religion. We've lost some very good people here because they couldn't stand the Over the Rhine list turning into the Over the Rhine Christian Theology list. I'm sorry you don't agree, and I'm sorry you feel the list has become "dumber" because we don't discuss your religion, but instead of being insulting and divisive, why don't you try understanding from where the rest of us are coming? You respect our limits, we'll respect yours.
Your friendly neighbourhood Anti-Yinzer-Left*,
Ysoie
*Okay-- I personally am anti- something. It's a Pittsburgh driving thing. Pray G-d y'all need never understand.
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