Dear Squeers,

Please stay - you write so beautifully - and I value your opinion
so very much. This is only a discussion after all.
And you practice the art of reasoned, intelligent debate. Anyway, it's up to you but you shall be missed. Thank You for all your inputs.

Thanks for the compliment, Lexi, but I think my contributions are mostly out of place here. I've also spent my life working on myself, which has mainly been a process of undeceiving myself.
Peace be with you.

Dear Squeers,

And also with you.

Take care.

Lexi

You must know that I hold the utmost respect for you. And you know, from thoughtful contributions to my discussion thread: "Where does the buck stop?" that I do not place all the blame for our exploitation of the environment entirely at the feet of formal religion.

We have a a false dichotomy with regards to 'balance'. If evolution is taught so must be creation, if 90% of scientific opinion is that the sky is blue, 10% who claim it is green must be reported, if discussion takes place that religion should be taught through religious institutions equal time must be given for its place in part of the public school system - and parents have to opt their children out. We have perverted the concept of fair choice and religion has played its part, along with political and commercial interests.

As a species that considers itself so intelligent, we are all to blame.

Yuyutsu

Fearful people hate, I do not hate and find your judgment of me an example of the self-righteousness that is the mark of religious dogma. I love this world, all life it contains, people and other animals amaze me every day. For this reason we must take up the responsibilities our actions have wrought.

Squeers

I am feeling completely at odds with so much that is expressed here at OLO and the current antipathy by so many Australians towards any changes. Carbon tax is not perfect, doing nothing is worse. The anti-science agenda that is supported by primitive creationist views is a part of our problems.

I read widely and try to apply as much critical thinking as I am capable of, my life journey has been to select from a variety of beliefs and philosophies - rejecting the clearly judgementally pious and open to reflection and balance. I often get it wrong, nor would I expect anyone to follow my beliefs, rather they find their way, but if we can hold hands along the way, there is no harm in that.

Dear Ammonite,

Thank You for your kind words and for explaining your thoughts to me. For me personally - my religion is important - this doesn't mean that I think the church is perfect or that parts of it won't wither away and die, or that it won't make mistakes. As you know I cringe at what Cardinal Pell has said in the past. I trust however that the church will not betray Christ or lose the sense of his message completely. I have a wonderful parish with a great priest who has total commitment and great ministerial energy. What Catholics do require is genuine local leadership and a willingness to confront both the difficulties and opportunities that the church faces.

I understand and respect your views. Each of us can only do what we feel is right for us. I have seriously evaluated the role of faith in my life and I believe that my church is worth my best renewed effort.
Anyway, as you know my philosophy has always been - live and let live.
To each his own. I do not believe in imposing my views on any one else. We chose our own paths to follow. If I only could, I would remove each and every pebble from your life's path. I value your friendship very much.

Dear Lexi

It is the pebbles that help guide us, and some turn out to be quite valuable. All we can ask of each other is to give a helping hand if one of us stumbles, that is what I have learned from religion, philosophy and hard experience.

Love to you.