I have been watching this thread for a while now, and it seems to me that a
lot is read into this passage by some and a lot is taken away from the
meaning of this passage by others. Without stepping on anyone's toes, it
does seem to me to be a bit too childish. Surely, as so-called mature
Christians (unless some regard themselves as immature still) we should get
past the point where we reiterate the same question ad infinitum.

IMHO, I think that when we are trying to make a point, we should approach
the subject/verse at hand like we would preparing for a Bible study...
Exegesis! Show from beginning to end why you think the way you do, not just
with smatterings of verses in the mail, but how proper exegesis supports
your ideas. 

We are here, after all, to learn from one another and not just to
regurgitate opinions.

Herewith endeth the admonition.

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William Dicks 
"And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality 
can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to 
the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, 
reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national 
morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." 
                                               George Washington 

Just thinking... (My blog)
http://williamdicks.blogspot.com
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