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Dear Jeffrey: Thanks so much for this suggestion. I started on this list because my wife has this horrible disease and I wanted to be up to date on anything we could do to slow it down and make things better. This constant bitter invective is killing the list. People do disagree about important things. Absent evidence to the contrary, we should believe that those who disagree with us hold those beliefs honestly and promote them because they think they are for the good. I agree with you. Let's concentrate on what can be done to make things better for PWP. The arguments about stem cell research are out there. I take it that the vast majority of the list members are in favor of it. Fine. They should agitate for its use. I understand the hope they see in this and the emotion it can arouse. But respect those who disagree. There is a horrible tendency in our country now to think that those who disagree with our "enlightened" opinions must simply be evil and their arguments wicked. This allows us to use ad hominem attacks. If we think our opponents are wicked, we needn't try to understand their arguments. Much of what I see lately is just anti-religious rants; largely anti-Christian, often manifesting more heat than light. I read messages less and less. I will take myself off the list soon if things don't improve. There should be another place for those who want to engage in this. I wish the best for all who have to confront this dreadful disease. This is my second time through this so to speak. My mother's life was largely ruined by it. Rob Ramsey ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeffrey" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 3:13 AM Subject: Separation of Church and PIEN > Like many of you, I have strong feelings about the ultra conservative > and Christian trends in America these days. And admittedly, some issues > such as stem cell research are relevant to people on the list. > > But I cannot help but feel that the discussion on religion and politics > has gone too far and is in danger of scaring people away from the list > and discouraging some members from actively participating. > > So, although I have absolutely no authority to do this, might I suggest > that we refrain from arguing about religion and American politics on > this list? And that we focus on being the wonderful Parkinson's support > resource that PIEN normally is? > > If there is a need, I would be willing to consider setting up a forum to > talk about issues of religion, politics, etc. Please contact me off-list > if you are interested. > > Thank you, > > Jeffrey > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn