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In retrospect, I can't help but feel a little foolish for having bothered at this point, however irrational that feeling may be. At the time, I was unaware of the "Netjer and Natural forces thread, mentioned earlier, and took Ankhesenamun's commentary at face value, defending what (taken out of context) would be perfectly reasonable, as if it were argued out of sincerity, not for the sake of ulterior motives, as I can now see that it most likely was.

Not surprisingly, when I came under personal attack from one of Ankhesenamun's likely partners in rhetorical crime (Ramessu), Ankhesenamun was unwilling to speak up for me in return, even though it was in speaking up for her (?) that I came under attack in the first place.

Antistoicus ( ) 05/24/01 00:40 AM Re: Religion and empowerment [re: Ramessu] In response to the question "Why would the Neters help us?": Why does an adult help a child? Answer: Because it is what adults do, and because the children may need them to. If it pleases the gods, or God, to give Ramessu experiences that suggest that the Divine presence is no longer amongst us, then I would urge him to accept that experience. But mine has been different, and so have those of so many that the phrase "the power of prayer" has become almost a cliche. It became so well before the TV era, among a variety of people many of whom could scarcely be called simple-minded. (*) A little respect, Ramessu, if you don't mind. Your experiences are not the experiences of all and each of us will be lead to his own conclusions by those experiences that those above see fit to send our way.

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(*) Note the sentence which I've underlined in Ramessu's letter.

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