Re: virus: How did we get here? (from: Un-natural De-selection)
Eva-Lise Carlstrom (eva-lise@eskimo.com)
Mon, 18 Aug 1997 09:28:44 -0700 (PDT)
On Sat, 16 Aug 1997, Tim Rhodes wrote:
> I took my parents out to dinner last night. In the course of conversation
> I started talking about Church of Virus. My father is a deacon in an
> Evangelical church so I was treading lightly into these waters for the
> first time. I explained memetics and the origin of CoV (as described by
> David McF) and tossed off,
> "But it's really just a place where a bunch of people with similar
> interests can get together and talk about them."
> "Well, isn't that what every church is?" he prodded.
> "Well, yes I guess so."
> "That and a support network. The /good/ ones are also there to help
> and support their members when they're in need." Deacon Rhodes added.
>
> Maybe we can learn a thing or two from the established churches after all.
Sounds a sensible sort, on that count. To you, Tim, I recommend _The Mind
of the Bible Believer_, as I do not recommend it to Eric for his friend.
Eric, I think that particular book would cause an immediate and hostile
immune response in any unquestioning Christian, probably consisting
largely of throwing down the book in disgust and being angry with you. I
recommend it to those who are interested in but not unwaveringly devoted
to Christian and Biblical teachings. I would also recommend it to
Christians who are willing to take on challenges. I wouldn't recommend
giving it to someone unasked-for.
Eva,
who is less than halfway through it and will privide synopsis when done
(what with her sacred responsibility as memetic vector and all)