Letters to the Editor
Letters to the
Editor
Out in the Mountains welcomes your letters. Although we will withhold names from printing upon request, the letter must be accompanied by a verifiable name and address in order to be considered for publication. We try to print every letter we receive, but reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. Letters are also subject to the editorial policy stated in the masthead.
Ode on a poetry contest Editor:
I would like to congratulate Mountain Pride Media, Out in the Mountains, and the donors who made the April Poetry Contest possible. What a wonderful way to affirm and celebrate the creativity of our communities.
Congratulations as well to the winners, most of whom I had the pleasure of hearing read their poetry at the April 15 reading in Middlebury. This event was a perfect culmination to the contest. The casual but classy setting and the deeply personal sharing of the poets could only have been rivaled by the fabulous spring weather we were blessed with that day.
Thanks to all who were a part, from a satisfied audience member (who is determined to get off her duff and be an active participant next year!).
Carolyn Ashby
Burlington, VT
Conspiracy rooted in power
Editor:
I am a recovering religious fundamentalist. The recent flurry of letters regarding civil unions for non-heterosexual peoples and the resulting education for many Vermonters exemplifies how far we can advance and desire to end our love affair with a conspiracy created early last century
Treatment of peoples by methods that are in stark contrast with Christianity pre-date the twentieth century, but the efforts to sustain the sub-classing and cruelty against females and non-white Anglo Saxon males for the sake of domination and greed might have been curtailed had it not been for the creation some 90 years ago of American religious fundamentalism, the antithesis of Christianity and a mockery of Christians. This perversion operates much like the abuse of Scripture by slave owners to scare slaves into staying with their masters and convincing them they were slaves because their ancestors had sinned. Evangelicals were thoroughly infected “to keep them on the straight and narrow.” It is doubtful that many laypersons were aware of the programming.
Judgmentalism is a common trait among the cult leaders. American fundamentalism is linked with big money, was designed to keep the wealth in the control of white Anglo Saxon males, and encourages harsh judgments against any perceived threats. Inductees are indoctrinated to view the world in only black-and-white; shades of gray only confuse matters. Non-members are controlled by Satan; adversaries include secularists, Marxists, even members in the pews on the other side of the same church! Followers are not encouraged to pursue intellectual inquiry or challenge rigidity.
Freedom of religion? Or a social problem? How do they compare with the Afghan Taliban? Myth or fact: They induce charlatanism throughout the masses, even inside political circles, at the expense of Christian benefits. Matters to ponder, but this Easter season let’s remember this: “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they have done.” May Americans move forward with educating the indoctrinated by teaching them how to distinguish religious fundamentalism from Christianity, that they may be freed from the chains that bind, that the sins of the father need no be protected in the cloak of ignorance.
Rev. William J. Tucker
Rutland, VT
Right on Îtoon
Editor:
Leah Wittenberg’s cartoon in your April 2000 edition was great. I cut it out of the paper and gave it to my parents who have it up on their refrigerator. Of course, my Mom thought it was much funnier than my Dad but we won’t get into that. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Leah’s work in future issues.
Roland F. Palmer
Hinesburg, VT
Take another look at ‘facts’
Editor:
Vermont is currently facing a crisis and world damnation because of something called the civil union bill – a bill that would allow gays to “marry.” This is what people opposed to this idea are spreading around without clearly investigating the facts.
The Catholic church has vocalized their “facts” with the Bible, stating that it’s ungodly to be homosexual. However, they are quick to change the subject when confronted with the fact that more and more Catholic priests are being accused of sexually molesting young boys and are in the top percentage of people contracting AIDS.
People state gays can change and it’s not like African Americans and women who can’t change who they are. Actually, African Americans could bleach their skin and women could change their sex to obtain better paying jobs and less discrimination. But why should they become someone they’re not just to obtain equality?
People state that allowing this to pass will destroy traditional marriage as we now know it. With a 50% divorce rate amongst heterosexual couples, I would think they would welcome a non-traditional couple who could change that statistic for the better.
People state that gays only want to force society to live their lifestyle. Isn’t that what the heterosexuals are doing to gays?
Tolerance and acceptance of diversity is taught at home. If those who are close-minded teach their kids to be close-minded, they’ll teach their kids, and so on, keeping hatred and discrimination alive for centuries to come.
Is that what America is all about?
Dean Pratt
Burlington, VT