Jackson Wade Crawford - The Raven of Texas/ Corvvs Texanis/ Kruk Teksasu
International Director, Corvist Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Free Will

-----Original Message-----
From: Creed Discussion List [mailto:CREED-DISCUSS@WINDUPLIST.COM]On Behalf Of Steve Arpey
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 8:42 AM
To: CREED-DISCUSS@WINDUPLIST.COM
Subject: Re: question

OK.. Time for my two cents on this subject.  Based on the info I have read
about the band, Scott has been struggling with his beliefs since he was very
young. It appears that he was raised in a very strict Christain environment
that I would consider oppressive and inhumane. Although he believed much of
the philosofy behind the religion, he never really understood why a loving
God could condemn anyone to eternal damnation. I share this attitude, in that
it seems unlikely to me that there is a heaven or hell and that all of us
were put here to be exactly what we are and nothing more. In my view, what
poisons people to Christianity(and most other organized religions) is the
restrictive environment created by everyone trying to be more rightious that
everyone else. Some Christians will tell you that God has a plan for each of
us that is predetermined at the time of conception, then in the same breath
they will condemn one for his/her actions if they do not meet the level of
conformity that has been established by the church to which they belong. I
think Scott is saying that if we are supposed to be the person we were
created to be, why must live in fear of devine retribution for simply not
following the rules that have been established by false prophets whos
misrepresentation of the bible, intentional or otherwise, is so far from what
God intended for us? I feel that having a beleif system is important to help
one through life, but I refuse to believe that there is any one religion that
is all encompassing and, with that in mind, I have opted out of all forms of
organized religion. I think this is what happened to Scott too. I am sure
that their first release was an effort to convince his parents and
congregation that there is no evil in rock music and that perhaps God
intended for him to bring to the world his thinking. I think it is obvious
that his words mean alot to many of us and I feel it is because he provokes
us into thought about who we are and "what's This Life For" rather that offer
up a plethora of nonsensical ideals. What we choose to believe after that is
ok with him as I am sure it is also ok with our maker, who, or whatever that
may be. ok...so you got my three cents on this one....Have a nice day
everyone.
Steve