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To: EverOnward
Kerberos wrote: "When you think about it this isn't that much different than some christian rituals such as say baptism."

EverOnward wrote: "How so? You'll need to further explain your illogical statement."

There is nothing illogical about my statement, but since you seem to be having problems grasping it, I will endeavor to break it down into more simplistic terms.

Both activities are rituals that participants believe that by taking part in they will receive some future benefit. One takes a child, knocks them out, and buries them in the ground for 60 seconds under the belief that by doing so they will be granted a wish. The other takes a child and dunks them under the water for a couple of seconds in the belief that this will insure their eternal salvation.

Do you not see that although the method may be somewhat different in the two rituals, the underlying form is the same? From an outsiders perspective the only thing that is of concern here is whether someone is harmed in the ritual, as in the case of some satanic rituals. Apparently in both instances no one incurs actual physical damage so therefore outside of the oddity of both rituals, it is of little concern or interest.

10 posted on 08/22/2002 5:51:37 AM PDT by Kerberos
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To: Kerberos
Both activities are rituals that participants believe that by taking part in they will receive some future benefit. One takes a child, knocks them out, and buries them in the ground for 60 seconds under the belief that by doing so they will be granted a wish. The other takes a child and dunks them under the water for a couple of seconds in the belief that this will insure their eternal salvation.

Do you not see that although the method may be somewhat different in the two rituals, the underlying form is the same? From an outsiders perspective the only thing that is of concern here is whether someone is harmed in the ritual, as in the case of some satanic rituals. Apparently in both instances no one incurs actual physical damage so therefore outside of the oddity of both rituals, it is of little concern or interest.

Your example is so broad that it would work as well in the instance of paying Social Security taxes.

17 posted on 08/22/2002 6:41:00 AM PDT by lepton
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To: Kerberos
Actually, you're closer than you think. For some Hindus, a ceremony to honor the occassion of a boy growing into manhood, say around 13 or so, involves taking a dip in a river with a priest conducting the ceremony. He grabs the boys head and dunks it in the water for a bit....pulls him out...

Of course, with a country of 1 billion people, one can find anything. At first i thought they buried them alive and left them there to die.
20 posted on 08/22/2002 8:48:00 AM PDT by swarthyguy
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To: Kerberos
Ah, I see you base your example on the Catholic tradition rather than scripture. For those who follow scripture rather than traditions, baptism is symbolic and doesn't 'get' you anything. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Baptism follows as a symbol of being washed clean of our sin. Oh, and by the way, we don't have to knock kids out to get them to get baptised, and we don't hold them under for 60 seconds.
26 posted on 08/22/2002 10:20:45 AM PDT by MEGoody
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