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Candice, I suppose i should have read your message before David's. Then I wouldn't have assumed that "please introduce yourself" was a courteous invitation in itself but was merely the punch-line of a serious chiding. I do apologize if I have in anyway offended you and the other list members. This was not my intention. And it was neither my intention to preach. I am not a preacher. If you will notice, i did not include the sentence about Christ in the response I posted to the board, because I felt it would have been inappropriate. I sent that to John Kinsella personally and he introduced it to the board. In any case, I do not recall making an effort to convert anyone, as if i could convert anyone myself anyhow. "There's a long tradition on Poetryetc of respecting each other's views in >the sense of _accepting_ them and exercising a basic courtesy and >sensitivity toward them regardless of our own beliefs (religious or >political, e.g.). Your remarks about veganism, anarchism, and Christianity >have all crossed that traditional line," So if I am a meat-eater and don't entirely agree with anarchism, I am not "allowed" to ask about the reasons for being a vegan and an anarchist? How will I ever learn to "accept" a belief if I don't ask for the reasons of undertaking such a belief? Indeed I feel that I was being more courteous in seeking a dialogue with John about his beliefs in the effort of trying to understand where they come from than merely patronizing him with a remark such as, "gee, that's nice that you're a vegan and an anarchist, i sympathize (even though I haven't a clue why!)". No-body need be defensive about his or her beliefs simply because someone challenges them. I am sure John is mature enough to accept some interesting critisism, and to distinguish patronism from meaningful engagement. If my beliefs offend you, then so be it. I do not apologize for my beliefs but I do apologize the voracity in which I stated them (if it was overwhelming for you). I will remember your chiding in the future. (traditional line?--i recall LINGUISTIC DISOBEDIENCE) all the best, Daniel