Letters to the Editor
Magritte's pipe
Published Letters: 129 Editor's Choice: 6
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Do not feel guilty
[Read the article: I'm a bisexual Christian husband and father]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]LW, you wrote:
As a Christian, I believe that it was not just coincidence that my wife and I came to be together. I believe that my struggle as a queer man in a marriage to a loving woman has some redemptive and bigger meaning, for me and perhaps for my wife too..
My mother is Christian, so I have some experience with Christianity. One of the beliefs of the Christian church that I attended is that redemption does not come from repressing your desires and obeying rules that other people tell you about sexuality (and whether or not bisexuality/homosexuality is permitted is debatable as well). No, redemption comes from accepting God. As such, it also means accepting God's creation. And how can you accept God if you cannot accept yourself, when you believe that God created you?
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God's unique Son. John 3:16-18
I assume from your letter that your church is not very accepting of people with different sexual orientations. Maybe this is a time for you to re-explore and deepen your spirituality. Maybe it's time to look at some other churches. If your church does not accept bisexuality or homosexuality, then is it equally intolerant of certain people or lifestyles in a way that does not reflect your feelings? A church that is accommodating to people from all walks of life can give you support in accepting God, and accepting the way that he made you.
You seem to have a remarkably close relationship with your wife who loves you unconditionally; not many marriages can last after one spouse comes out as bisexual. If she can accept your sexuality, then perhaps she could also understand your spiritual conflicts. I think you should regularly discuss with your wife how she feels your sexuality, your sex life, your marriage, your spirituality (your is plural in all counts). Remember that as hard as this is for you, it is at least as equally hard for her. As for the cheating, it seems like you've already made a decision to stay faithful to your wife. Good for you.
All the best.
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Momof2
[Read the article: Little girl lost, little girl found]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Exactly. Notice how Laurel jumped to the conclusion that the adoptive parents either:
a)want exotic looking children, or
b)want racially "pure" children (Russian).
More revealing about Laurel's obsession with race than anything else. And btw Laurel, I defended international adoption. I am neither an adopted child nor an adopter. I have volunteered at a Chinese orphanage before, and no, they do not exploit foreigners who want to adopt Chinese children, nor do they exploit locals who have baby girls.
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Madame Marie
[Read the article: I'm a bisexual Christian husband and father]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The LW did not mention how old his children are. Of course they need to know eventually but I think it's rather hard to explain if they are too young.
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walter_map
[Read the article: Have we fallen behind our parents?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Red star for walter_map!
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peakdavid re: Paul Hellyer
[Read the article: Tom Friedman's latest declaration of war]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]clears throat. peakdavid. Paul Hellyer's views are often considered "fringe" ideas. For example, he believes "The United States military are preparing weapons which could be used against the aliens".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hellyer
http://video.msn.com/
?mkt=en-us&vid=73f6c962-ac45-47df-ae8c-7e1a15a4970f&from=copy
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normankelley
[Read the article: Tom Friedman's latest declaration of war]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think Rob Mac was being sarcastic. Wasn't he?
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Principles of teaching
[Read the article: The atheist and the creationist: Can't they just get along?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with some of the other commenters here: getting angry doesn't get you anywhere. Leave aside the child abuse side issue. It sounds like your friend is having some struggles with his own faith and may eventually come to his own conclusion. You can facilitate in convincing him with rational arguments, laying out step by step all the points against creationism.
However, you will probably get angry and frustrated if you talk to him about this solely on religious and political terms. Ultimately, the fact remains that he is asked to teach in a science class. Perhaps you can ask him what he thinks science it, and what the principles of science are (inductive reasoning based on empirical observations, validation of theories through systematic experimentation, etc). Then ask him if creationism fits into these principles. If he says yes, ask him to lay out all his arguments point by point, and if he attempts to do so, calmly point out the irrationality of them. My guess is he will hesitate to try it anyway since you mentioned your friend is having doubts about God himself.
In the end, maybe you can't entirely convince himself that creationism is wrong (I think ultimately he needs to figure that out on his own). But you can convince him that teaching creationism does not follow the principles of teaching science and that creationism would fit better in a theology or philosophy class.
OT, but I really like what Allie_ said:
Forcing oneself to believe a lie that one knows to be a lie is a cancer that rots the soul all through.