Letters

Human Quest, Jul/Aug 1999

Message

I have difficulty understanding the Human Quest editors' decision to publish in the May-June, 1999 issue Robert E. Schneider's letter scurrilously attacking both me and former editor, Edna Ruth Johnson, in connection with my Sept-Oct, 1997 article, "Can Gay Marriage Make Homosexuality Morally Acceptable?" The Nov-Dec 1997 issue carried Robert E. Schneider's 10-column-inch letter criticizing the article. My 4-column-inch reply (about half of what I submitted) in the Jan-Feb 1998 issue pointed out that Schneiter/-Schneider's so-called scientific data was pure hokum, and that the "biased religious viewpoint"/"religious indoctrination" which he attacked was that of Judaism: the belief that passionate marital fidelity is sacred, and adultery, incest, bestiality and homosexuality are wrong. May I suggest that appropriate corrective measures be taken toward the person responsible for publishing the most recent letter, and for doing so without seeking a reply from me.

Nathaniel S. Lehrman, IVID

Roslyn, NY

On Kosovo and Hate

For many years, hate has persisted in Yugoslavia.

This is nothing special; it occurred in Ireland, South Africa, Belgium, India and many other areas. Churches in the affected regions did not address reconciliation, (so much for spiritual leadership).

The popularity of the dictator Tito kept the hostile feelings under cover but he also failed to seek reconciliation. It was an easy trick to make the hate explode by politicians inside and outside of Yugoslavia.

Now we are left with a chaos due to neglect and hunger for power. We are all guilty by allowing our churches to remain silent by allowing our politicians to play with fire.

Reasons given to engage in this war are nonsense. The main actor, the U.S.A., has organized and paid for terrorism in Nicaragua. When condemned by the International Court of Justice, the U.S.A. ignored the judgment. So did Canada.

History has proven that large scale conflicts cannot be resolved by violence, on the contrary, it increases hate as is happening now with the bombing.

Nonviolent efforts may not succeed, however, violent solutions are bound to fail.

What do we do now? As we have shared with the people of Yugoslavia the creation of this disaster, it is our moral responsibility to provide help in their misery, destroying and killing is the opposite of helping.

Jan Verkerk

Surrey, BC, Canada

Missing Bishop Spong

I was surprised and very disappointed that in my last two issues of The Human Quest John Shelby Spong's name did not appear on the masthead nor as an article contributor. Even though I read all the articles in The Human Quest, Spong's was the first I turned to.

How come there was not some explanation in The Human Quest about what happened to Spong? I really miss Spong's articles and would appreciate knowing what caused the disconnect.

Charles H. Meng

Columbus, OH

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bishop Spong has returned to our pages.

How the Game Is Played

Another civil war

this one between Serbs

and Muslims, and

once again it is in

Europe, who cannot seem

to settle down and

get along like decent folk.

Wars where the people

of both sides look alike

can be confusing. You shout,

"Halt there! Are you my

enemy or my cousin? I don't

want to shoot you, but I will,

just to keep the peace."

Marilyn Kreyer

Pratt, KS

Love and War

Remember the Vietnam War era when we cried, "Make love, not war." I liked Bill Clinton better when he was making love ...

Israel Siev

Ozone Part, NY

Glimmer of Hope

Renee-Marie Croose Parry's article on "Our Nation's Schizophrenia" is an accurate analysis of the U.S.A. today. We are a depraved, degenerate and corrupt country - the most militaristic nation, externally, since Nazi Germany, and a, police state which is getting worse. And no amount of "God Bless America" or appeals to patriotism (alias nationalism) can cover up these hard facts. Under such circumstances it is very difficult to keep even a glimmer of hope, but hope we must, and fight back as best we can no matter what the odds.

Dr. Eric T Pengelley

Davis, CA

Wailing from Juarez

Cooled desert sands are silent

except a gentle wind softly wailing

lifting sparkling surface granules

swirling them mildly dizzily

like last bit of smoke

when fire is extinguished

small crushed human skull uncovered

a few black strands of hair still attached

they shine washed in full moonlight

I wonder if she braided it

before leaving for the "Maquiladora"

where she was cheap labor

blood dries quickly along the dark road from

work

screams echo only a terrible moment

labor is plentiful, inexpensive, expendable

deadly rattlers return to hellish holes

after a night's profane defilement

poison readied for next victim

sleepless Juarez mother

sweeps her already clean ramshackle shanty

wondering why her daughter is late

yellow marigolds blossom outside her door

the desert does not answer in words

but in bitter dry bones. John Maney, Jr

John Mang Valley, Jr.

Spring Valley, NY

It's Not All Bad

I had hope that with the change of editors, Human Quest would become more tolerant of the Catholic Church. Alas! The March-April issue slams the church in line with past issues ... come up, please, with something favorable to the church and I will renew my subscription. Let's be fair. I have pleaded with Edna Ruth. The church has its faults but lay off It's not all that bad. We subscribe to Catholic Worker and Maryknoll, and I'm a Unitarian.