Letters to the Editor
sesanders
Published Letters: 308 Editor's Choice: 18
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Secret hope
[Read the article: God and gorillas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Barbara King's contention that religiosity in scientists is OK is a nice palliative bridge for disparate groups to connect with each other. However, it is not likely to gain any acceptance from Christian fundamentalists who are driven by ideas of right and wrong, one of them being that it is absolutely necessary to accept Jesus Christ as one's savior in order to go to heaven. No one else can go whether they have ever heard of Jesus or not! Such harsh ideas permeate many religious groups. Could it be that religion is more an exclusionary device than a spiritual search?
And why are there so many of us who find it completely irrational to entertain notions that God sits on a throne meeting out rewards and punishments. The fact that there are so many differing religions is not proof that we are spiritual but is more likely an offshoot of the societal necessity for establishing rules of conduct for its members and of generating ways of controlling behavior by establishing an "in" group and an "out" group. This is not to say that we are not all struck from time to time with our short life span and its meaning. On the other hand, many are driven to
fight the notion that we will be annihilated by death and seek possible loop holes for this bewildering fact, hence the construct of a spiritual afterlife! Scientists and others, including myself, cringe at disintegration and secretly hope that this is not simply our brief time upon the stage, signifying nothing.
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Lead photo
[Read the article: Bush's Iran madness]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The lead photo of Bush is a masterpiece. Not to detract from the article...it was very informative, too, but that picture says it all!
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The wickedly famous
[Read the article: Goodbye, Vickie Lynn]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Individuals like Anna Nicole Smith serve as a means for many, many people who follow the rules to fantasize discarding the sexual constraints, the ethical restraints, and the no-no's instilled in us by society. We are not supposed to marry for money...we are not supposed to sleep around or make public spectacles of ourselves. We are supposed to be so clean and nice, and the public figures who audaciously chuck out all these mores catch our attention. We are fascinated as well as shocked by our own interest in their affairs. The short lives of so many of these "wickedly" famous people attest to the dangers of thumbing our noses at the rules, but we are still fascinated all the same by their brass.
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Bizarre reaction
[Read the article: Camille's back!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Not to trivialize Anna Nicole's death, but Camille's reaction and her behavior in response to it is absolutely bizarre. I have to question her sincerity. It is suspicious to be so "upset" by the death of Nicole Smith whom she doesn't even know. And her remarks about Elizabeth Taylor...this is personal stuff that doesn't belong in a serious article. Either she is loony or she is simply pulling our chains to get a reaction! Of course, everything she writes is for effect. I wish Salon would find someone else to play the gadfly but they appear to be smitten with her even though their readership would like to be shed of her.
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Democracy smeared
[Read the article: It could happen here]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Bush has smeared the good name of democracy around the world. Why would third world peoples be attracted to it? For them it represents foreign dominance, invasion, and at the very least, meddling. Our country has been defiled by this president and his neocon cronies!
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Middle East Pride
[Read the article: The view from Tehran]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is a fascinating peek into the Iranian mind; I, for one, didn't know how they view their president nor was I aware of their huge dependence on tomatoes. However, I certainly understand their national pride. I just wish Bush had cared a little about Middle Eastern pride before he invaded Iraq...it was obvious that there would be the utmost resistance to American presence after a period of time, but our resolute leader could have cared less. And he still hasn't bothered to be bothered...his inflammatory remarks at Iran prove that.
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Building bridges
[Read the article: The modern Muslim]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Tariq Ramadan's explanations of his Muslim beliefs is eye opening. We have all been told by many, even George Bush, that the Muslim religion is a great religion, providing a reasonable way of life, with an enlightened spiritual approach, but all we see on the TV screen is blood, carnage, intolerance, hatred, misogyny and uncivilized behavior in Muslim countries...and particularly, a refusal to allow freedom of thought. These perceptions have created a fear of the Muslim which amounts to prejudice. I, for one, do not like to see the scarf or the veil...the idea that a woman must be covered up because she might create indecent thoughts in men is infuriating. On the other hand, when I observe overt sexual lewdness and course conduct of people who are out to get attention, I am offended tremendously by my own culture. It is at these times that I can sympathize a little with the Muslim attitude.
There is a gulf between us and the Middle East which must be addressed and we can only do it by coming together and talking. This is basic. With the current Administration in Washington, diplomacy is off the table and name-calling seems to be the game. And while this attitude prevails, we will be unable to build bridges. We need more Tariq Ramadan's who are eloquent spokespeople for Muslims. It is unfortunate that he has been denied a visa. Perhaps after Bush leaves office and if the American people elect a broad-minded leader next time, Ramadan will be invited back.