> Similarly, while I know many fine Christians, I find ChristianITY to be repellent.
>
> -- Trip

I've read the other replies to this, but this is going off in a diffrent direction.

First some deffinitions.

Christianity- the term to cover everyone who belives in some version of Christs message, interpreted different in different denominations. This isn't a religon but a family of religons, and is very diverse, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Mormons, Protastants (all of 'em), maginal cults like the Waco people, and also people who belive the message but can't decide which demonition to join.

Christians- any one from any of the above groups

Catholisism- Roman Catholics, follow the Pope and all of that

Myself, I am a Christian who was raised Catholic, but I find that I disagree with the Pope and the church establishment on a great many things (Birth Control, women preists, homosexuality) and, since Papal Infalibility (the Pope is always right, he has a direct line to God) is a tenant of Catholisism I'm not comfortable labeling myself as a true Catholic any more.

I have known may Christians, from many different denominations, good and bad. Looking at history it I see much evil done in the name of Christianity and Catholisism. Crusades, Inquistions, Wars between the denominations, what we did the Native Americans, but I don't blame Christianity for this. Christianity is about following the word of God, of Christ. Most of the evil that came in is perversions of that message brought about by narrow minded people, who assume God is as narrow minded as they are.

Organized Religion always runs the risk of being perverted, the moment the Organization becomes more important than the Religion this happens. Christ wouldn't have supported any of the intolerance or violence that has been carried out in his name.

I consider myself an agnostic Christian. I belive Christ was the son of God. I don't belive God has a gender, but I tend to use the male pronouns because of habit, and 'it' seems to be disrepectful. I don't think any denomination has all the truth. I also think non-Christian faiths hold some inner truth as well. And I belive scientific investigation of this wonderous world God gave us is the best way to thank him for it, as we peel back the layers we constantly find more layers, and with each layer the complexity and beauty of the universe is increased. When I think of all the time it took for humans to come on the scean after the Big Bang I am awed.

Well, this post seemed to wander. Oh well.

Still, Don't hold all of Christianity responsible for the heinous acts of some of its members.

Speed'amen'ball