I think the word that better fits in Stephen's
contention is pagan.  To the other religions of this
world, Christians are the pagans.

n. 


One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially
a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. 

One who has no religion. 

A non-Christian. 

A hedonist. 

A Neo-Pagan. 
adj. 


Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. 

Professing no religion; heathen. 

Neo-Pagan. 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English, from Late Latin pgnus, from Latin,
country-dweller, civilian, from pgus, country, rural
district; see pag- in Indo-European roots.]

--- Mark Janzen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> David,
> 
> I would have to agree. The term atheist does not
> apply to anyone who
> believes in a deity/higher power/gaia etc. It is not
> a term that has any
> gray area. That is unless we are talking about
> another intentional misuse
> of a word to try and twist it into something new, as
> in the case of the
> word theory. I am not sure of the point with
> "atheist" quite yet.
> 
> It is certainly sad and a great loss, but to me the
> central irony about the
> intellectual implosion occurring at the Tulsa zoo is
> that there is no
> substantive challenge to science provided by faith.
> The challenge is
> entirely in the minds of the challengers. The
> problem is that allowing the
> "challenge" to take place gives it credence in the
> eyes of the public,
> which to be quite honest is not, as a whole, paying
> enough attention to
> realize the error. But, of course, the challengers
> know that.
> 
> They will make the strongest statement by kindly
> incorporating Christianity
> into its creation myth series. I think one of the
> reasons it is not
> normally included in such programs is because the
> Christian myth is not
> nearly as interesting as some of the others. Native
> American(s) and Hindu
> traditional beliefs are far more colorful, and
> typically involve a lot less
> fear.
> 
> Mark Janzen
> Registrar/Collections Manager
> Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
> Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
> Wichita State University
> (316)978-5850


Indigo Nights
[log in to unmask]

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).