[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I have always understood that Anabaptists and Baptists were basically the same animal.

My understanding, which may well be colored by propaganda, was that the Anabaptists in this Swiss 16th century city went the Calvinists one better. Accepting that the human race was divided between the elect and the damned, and that nothing could be done by man to affect their election, they dropped the idea that your behavior would demonstrate whether you were elect. They advocated practicing all sorts of degrading and sinful behavior, since it would have no effect on their eventual position in paradise. The Lutheran and Calvinist princes and communes, and the Catholic Emperor sent a joint army, and burnt their city down, killing all inhabitants. Thus THESE Anabaptists had no descendants.

If I had difficulty dealing with Baptists, Florida would certainly be the wrong state for me. As far as I am concerned, the theological and liturgical differences, which are substantial, between Catholics and Baptists, should be put aside because of the religious, moral and ethical beliefs which we share. We are in a crisis of our civilization, and must put first things first. I have the same attitude towards the Episcopalians, Lutherans, Orthodox, Methodists, and other high and low church Christians, and the Jews, who share these beliefs to a greater or lesser degree. Shared ethical and political principals should make it possible for us to make common cause with some non-Islamist Moslems, as well as members of other faiths and those with no faith. When the ship is sinking, everyone who is willing to help bail us out should be enlisted in the effort.

[ksen]

Mmm, thanks for the clarification. I don't think I would identify with that first group of people. Didn't that happen in a city called Munzner or something like that?

-Kevin

[Corin Stormhands]

As far as I am concerned, the theological and liturgical differences, which are substantial, between Catholics and Baptists, should be put aside because of the religious, moral and ethical beliefs which we share. We are in a crisis of our civilization, and must put first things first. I have the same attitude towards the Episcopalians, Lutherans, Orthodox, Methodists, and other high and low church Christians, and the Jews, who share these beliefs to a greater or lesser degree.

That's a very wise statement.

[Sam Cree]

I'm not very religious, though I do belong to a fishing club and do have some deer hunting buddies which seems to make for just as much controversy and argument. All kidding aside, I agree with you that all the Christian denominations as well as the Jewish ones are fundamentally similar in ethics and thrust.

"When the ship is sinking, everyone who is willing to help bail us out should be enlisted in the effort."

I think so too, but I notice that some on the left, including the religious left, wish to use the situation for a tool to further their usual agenda.