ETC: Everyday Thoughts Collected - Latest Comments in Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

B.T.Carolus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:28:06 -0000

Interesting. I didn't know that.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Jay — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:13:56 -0000

There are scoutmasters of the opposite sex in Boy Scouts. The first one, Catherine Pollard, died two years ago. Here's the link: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-2796791.html

I also remember another one, Lillian Morris, was a contestant on my favorite TV show, Survivor. I'm sure there have been many, many others.

So... pwnd? ;-)

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

BTCarolus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:28:06 -0000

Interesting. I didn't know that.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Jay — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:13:56 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

B.T.Carolus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:29:58 -0000

Yes, really. Hence if I ever have a daughter, she will not be a girl scout. Not because of a sex thing, but because the Girl Scouts are involved in pushing a feminist agenda, and she'll get enough of that without me signing her up for it. (not to mention, who wants to deal with selling those cookies?)

Your second explanation is better.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

sam — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:22:58 -0000

Really? Openly lesbian women can be scoutmasters for the Girl Scouts?

Anyway, my point was that they don't allow gays to be scoutmasters for the Boy Scouts because scoutmasters do many things together with other boys, including sharing the same tents, and it is expected for scoutmasters to be always psychologicall prepared, so they are not allowed in order to prevent any possible temptations.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

B.T.Carolus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:51:13 -0000

Sam
There are no scoutmasters 'of the opposite sex' in the Boy Scouts, because it is boys (and men) only. There is no prohibition against lesbian involvement in the Girl Scouts. You are right, though, Jay is a little biased against Focus ;)

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

sam — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:27:54 -0000

Jay,

Obviously you didn't read the letter, carefully. Fof did not compare homosexuality with pedophilia, at all. All they said in that regards, was that the Boy Scouts closed their business, because The Boy Scouts didn't want gay scoutmasters to sleep in tents with other scouts. By rules, all scoutmasters share tents with their respective scouts, and in order to promote unit cohesion, scoutmasters of the opposite sex, are not allowed to share the same tents, assuming that majority of people are heterosexual. This is the reason why gay scoutmasters are not allowed to work for the Boy Scouts, likewise lesbians are disallowed for Girl Scouts.

No implication of sex, or pedophilia.

I think you are having biases against Focus on the Family.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

BTCarolus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:29:58 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

sam — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:22:58 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

BTCarolus — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:51:13 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

sam — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:27:54 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Ellie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:28:09 -0000

I wonder if perhaps the letter would be more believable if it was from 2032 or 2050 or some point more radically out in the distance than four years from now. Although I'm sure we all realize that the issues it brings up are 'on the table' at least in a general way, I really have a hard time imagining our entire society will be turned on its head in only four years (not to mention, doesn't the letter kill off a supreme court justice, or something else possible but not likely?). But it isn't hard to imagine that changes Obama makes now could have that impact, spread over over twenty years. Only that makes for a much less effective letter.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

RThomasETC — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:33:32 -0000

Whatever personality or intellectual conflicts we might have are secondary to the fact that we're both brothers in Christ and are unified by our belief in Him.

Agreed.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Jay — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:51:28 -0000

Well, I really don't comment on things I agree about unless I have an additional point to make that I view to be worthwhile to a given discussion (and this goes for pretty much all blogs). That's probably why it looks like I'm out to highlight disagreements. I'm really not. I just don't see any reason to put down a "great post!" comment unless I have something to add or a question to ask.

It's hard for me to be friendly online. I usually stick to trying to be professional and plainspoken. I suppose this can sound a little cold and condescending, so I see Brady's point. It's simply not my intention, and I don't really know how to take a more conversational approach to this, though I'm sure it would be beneficial.

And yeah, Ellie, I think Randy and I do agree on most things (at least the essentials of the Christian faith, and even about what is and isn't godly sexuality). My disagreements with him are more about public policy or ideas about the current state of culture. Whatever personality or intellectual conflicts we might have are secondary to the fact that we're both brothers in Christ and are unified by our belief in Him.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Brady — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:59:03 -0000

Hey Randy. I get what you are saying, but with the Westboro example, it's easier for me to go there since they are already so far out there.

With Obama, the stretch is a lot bigger imo. You might not agree on that point (well I'm sure you think it is a bigger stretch than Felps, just you still think it is less of a stretch to get from an Obama Presidency to the letter than I do).

Anyway, I see the point, I just think the jump from a presidency to those conclusions is too big of a jump to make.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

RThomasETC — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:26:02 -0000

Very good point Brady. Duly noted and I personally think you are on to something.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

RThomasETC — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:25:25 -0000

I think we argue more often than not but I wouldn't say it is fair to say ... a lot. I can honestly say I am not looking to highlight disagreements. Blowing out of proportion? ... possibly.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Ellie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:54:56 -0000

I've been thinking the same thing, because for two people who theoretically agree on a lot of things, Jay and Randy sure seem to fight...a lot. Maybe they're just looking to highlight their disagreements all the time, and it gets blown out of proportion?

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

BTCarolus — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:28:09 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

RThomasETC — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:33:32 -0000

Whatever personality or intellectual conflicts we might have are secondary to the fact that we're both brothers in Christ and are unified by our belief in Him.

Agreed.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Jay — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:51:28 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Brady — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:03:29 -0000

Jay (and kind of Randy too)- I'm not going to get into the middle of yall's discussion here, but I wanted to make one small point. Jay- you mentioned that you try to be as professional as possible when discussing things with Randy, which is a nice gesture.

However, I've found (both online and in actual professional life now that I am old and in that world) that over email/online, a "professional" tone can often come off condescending or rude to the reader. He or she doesn't exactly know what your intentions are, so if you are arguing against someone and using a tone you think to be professional, the reader may see the argumentation and assume an attacking or confrontational tone since there is no inflection or tone of voice involved.

I know I'm not immune to coming off mean or rude from time to time, but I think generally I don't (and I try hard not to). Maybe using a tone that leans more towards "friendly" than professional would work better when arguing/debating over the internet. That way your reader knows you are arguing/debating actual points of the conversation rather than taking shots at him or her personal.

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

Brady — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:59:03 -0000

Re: Letter From A Christian in 2012 - Focus Action Letter

RThomasETC — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:26:02 -0000

Very good point Brady. Duly noted and I personally think you are on to something.