QUOTE:
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Because he takes the Bible with a grain of salt, he is lazy in his faith? Come on. He is simply smart enough not to take it so literally. Because he disagrees with you on the Bible's nature does not make him dishonest or lazy in the least. And you claim to be tolerant.
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Dear Mario,

Before I sign off, I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for supporting me on this issue. I will say that I do take the Bible little more seriously than a grain of salt , but you’re absolutely right--you can't take everything that's been handed down and translated and handed down and translated and handed down and translated sooooo very literally. You have to have room for a little metaphor--you have to be able to *think* about what the *main idea* is. From that, then you start find that glimmer of truth. (And I know, you and I had that whole "truth" discussion--but I'm sure you understand what I mean.)

I'm sure I made a mistake by using the word "laid back"--giving Aaron a buzzword to latch onto, just like Mike latching onto "measurable." But you, Mario, as a level-headed individual obviously understood what I meant. That's the problem with extremists of ANY persuasion (Aaron and Mike both fit into this)--To them, EVERYTHING is so literal--they have blinders on--they haven't the foggiest notion how to THINK about the
real world around them, new ideas, etc.

Aaron (he says he's real--okay, I'll again give him the benefit of the doubt -LOL) is apparently quite young. So he hasn't had time to learn much about the real world, yet. One of two things will happen. He'll either start to open his eyes and see that God is not quite as hateful as Aaron seems to think He is--and that there's also a few things in the world that happen *independent* of the war between God and Satan. (Yes, there's a REAL world out there--and God wants him to live it.) Or else, he'll grow worse in his fanaticism, and thereby, more unhappy and more bitter of his fellow man. I hope he'll chose the former.

Again, I'm quite happy and content in my faith. It's a very deep and personal thing. I don't have to apologize to scientists for being a Christian, nor do I have to apologize to a religious zealot for believing in science and history. I, myself, prefer an open mind--and I enjoy talking civilly with those who live to consider a multitude of possibilities in the universe.

And with that, I say, good night.