[MD] Theism/epistemology

[Michael Poloukhine]

> Ron:
> Look again, I supplied two, the point is theism is the belief in deity.
> correct? rhetorically you are picking knits to obscure the matter
> of conversation.

MP: Ron, no. Theism is *not* the belief in deity; deity is a culturally laden term. 
That is my point. Theism *can* be used that way, and I don't reject that use 
outright, I simply insist that it is an inherently mixed use that does not allow for 
an understanding of the more inclusive definition of the word; what I am now 
referring to "th*ism" to try to be more clear and allow for an apparent linguistic 
intransigence in these parts.

And while I *am* admittedly picking nits, I'm picking them not to obscure but to 
both enlighten and seek enlightement. I think its more than a nit being picked, 
which is why I pick it. I see it leading to complete misunderstandings of thoughts 
and ideas, a roadblock to opening greater avenues of understanding.

I could, of course be entirely wrong.