I have been posting on this and other fora for some time now. This is one of my favorites, in part, because of the convergence of science and religion that is apparent to this [and some other] observers and partly due to the lively [and diverse] atmosphere provided by its participants.

Though, I think we can go too far in being concerned with one anothers "feelings" and risk taking some of the flavour out of the discourse. As far as I am concerned, anyone can say anything they like to me, or about me. Indeed, one doesn't profess what I do, and expect to be welcomed with open arms in every debate, and I don't.

As far as my discourse directed to others goes, I will share something I have learned and employ regularly. That is, I will go miles out of my way to keep from personally attacking someone. However, their ideology is fair-game. For example, I take a no-holds barred irreverent attitude towards evolution, Darwinism and other currently accepted dogmas. But I would never refer to someone as an idiot for believing in it.

Admittedly, this modus operandi is tight-rope sort of affair and there is a risk of a guilt by association to those who adhere to the theories or ideologies which are the focus of my discourse.

If this should turn out to be the case, my advice would be to change your view on the subject, or retreat to your ivory tower.

• What Can Replace Darwinism? - johnpowell - April 3, 2001 - 20:42 UTC
  • intelligent design - isaiaha41 - April 4, 2001 - 13:07 UTC
    • Hawking on related topics - hmancu - April 4, 2001 - 16:39 UTC
    • "Design" arguments unconvincing - johnpowell - April 4, 2001 - 16:52 UTC
      • Its a question of faith - isaiaha41 - April 4, 2001 - 17:43 UTC
        • Faith=no proof, science=proof. - alexander - April 4, 2001 - 18:15 UTC
          • Andrei Linde - bruce - April 5, 2001 - 05:00 UTC
        • Resurrection and Proto-Cells are not equally probable - johnpowell - April 4, 2001 - 22:16 UTC
          • both require faith - isaiaha41 - April 5, 2001 - 17:24 UTC
            • There were no resurrection witnesses. - johnpowell - April 5, 2001 - 18:42 UTC
              • German Soldiers - admin - April 5, 2001 - 19:31 UTC
                • Martyrdom is not a sure sign of truth. - johnpowell - April 5, 2001 - 20:52 UTC
                  • Roger That - jhuggins - April 6, 2001 - 00:18 UTC
              • liberal theology - isaiaha41 - April 6, 2001 - 00:38 UTC
                • Oh, boy - old story "It is all in the Bible" again? - alexander - April 6, 2001 - 03:46 UTC
                  • Self-fulfilling Prophecy effect - johnpowell - April 6, 2001 - 15:02 UTC
                    • Well put - stormcrow - April 7, 2001 - 02:09 UTC
                      • Not with faith, but with will. - alexander - April 8, 2001 - 15:41 UTC
                        • I'm with you on this - stormcrow - April 8, 2001 - 22:04 UTC
                • Religion poor substitute for Reason - johnpowell - April 6, 2001 - 16:15 UTC
                  • materialism/naturalism is devoid of reason - isaiaha41 - April 7, 2001 - 13:21 UTC
                    • Palestine important because Christians made it that way - johnpowell - April 7, 2001 - 17:14 UTC
                      • You mean like the USSR? - yanniru - April 8, 2001 - 16:56 UTC
                        • USSR is a good example to consider. - johnpowell - April 8, 2001 - 18:12 UTC
                          • Statistics - stormcrow - April 8, 2001 - 20:18 UTC
                            • You're probably right. - johnpowell - April 9, 2001 - 18:45 UTC
                              • The religion of atheism - yanniru - April 10, 2001 - 11:18 UTC
                                • Convert Religious resources into more beneficial ones - johnpowell - April 10, 2001 - 16:32 UTC
                          • Collapse of USSR - alexander - April 9, 2001 - 23:56 UTC
                    • Jews were not God's chosen people - johnpowell - April 7, 2001 - 21:28 UTC
                    • Mideast as a region - Israel only Western Presence - hmancu - April 8, 2001 - 01:19 UTC
                      • "No oil" in Israel true, but misleading - johnpowell - April 8, 2001 - 17:48 UTC
    • Brian, did you study biology and evolution? - alexander - April 4, 2001 - 18:27 UTC
      • ah-ha...the intimidation ploy - isaiaha41 - April 5, 2001 - 17:00 UTC
        • Automobiles and information systems. - johnpowell - April 5, 2001 - 17:53 UTC
        • What is not going to work - lack of knowledge? - alexander - April 5, 2001 - 18:16 UTC
        • Actually education play (the name of the game). - alexander - April 6, 2001 - 23:32 UTC