Ahem, hmm, yes, well...
The reason I didn't ask what a troll is is because I had heard it used on this board. From what I have heard, it is someone who pretty much blabs on and on, keeps picking fights and falling down, doesn't care what anybody says but keeps shooting off their mouth. Things like that. You referred to Ron D, aka AForce1, as one also. So don't act like I don't know what you're talking about.
The Mighty Thor...your analysis of the book was quite inaccurate. Saying that men should be bold, strong, and leaders doesn't say they shouldn't be humble, compassionate, and kindred. You see, there are two sides to this spectrum. What Eldredge was saying is that christian men have the "really nice guy" part played, but they should really be protectors of the household and a leader as a man should be.
As for the woman part...you rank seductiveness and being a whore together...who taught you that bs? Who said that by being seductive you are cheating on your husband? Those are really horses of two different colors...a woman can be seductive without being a slut.
Finally...what does Eldredge ask of men and women alike? That they strive to be all these things. If you look around the world today...what do people do? Generally, they sit around at home, they go to the office, they watch television, or they go on the computer. How often do people really exercise? How often do people take risks? How often do people go on adventures?
This is where his book really takes off. We should explore this wild and mysterious world God has made...and we should be adament and energetic about soaking it up and enjoying it. This is not to say we shouldn't settle down, get a good job, and be a good caretaker of our children. Both are required really.
Eldredge isn't saying play the tough guy role. When he says to be bold, it doesn't mean to pick fights. He doesn't encourage violence in one part of his book. Similarly, he doesn't encourage women to engage in any unlawful sexual acts. What he does encourage is that we live life to the fullest, so to speak.
Right wing? Hardly. Nothing Eldredge says is fundamental. Fundamental, right wing christians would actually have quite contrary opinions. In pretty much every sense. Eldredge's book isn't degrading to women in the least, trust me. You'll just have to read it I guess.
You say women were treated like dirt. Were they treated like dirt by God? No. Were they treated like dirt by Jesus? Hardly. He lifted up and forgave people of all origins, including Mary who was a prostitute as I'm sure you will all recall. So, if women were mistreated, that was a sign of the times, not an act of God.
Sloe_Bohemian: yes, I have ceased talking about the paranormal stuff lately. I find myself too caught up in debating the religious stuff now. However, I still am holding at this time that, as far as I can see, even if there are optical illusions, auras produce unpredictable or explainable colors, and are therefore at this point authentic to me. I am, however, open to contrary evidence.
About the whole "how" vs. "why" thing. I agree that it is ok to try and learn how the world works, and if you enjoy it that's great. I'm just trying to say there's so much to learn, and to accept there's a lot of things we can't understand. And also, you know to enjoy the world, and to respect it in its splendor without always worrying about the "how". I still hold there are amazing things we can learn without the veil of reason. Maybe it is only a youthful mind that can see this because I haven't been so hardened to only use my head and not my heart. Who knows.
All right, that's all for now. Have a good day everybody.
Brian
(Okay, all movies I really like are the "best movie ever," anyway...)