Letters

Patriotism As Religion

I appreciated Rick McKinniss’s “Our Flag Is Not Sacred” [Speaking Out, Sept. 9]. (However, I do not advocate desecrating the flag.) I fear patriotism has almost become a religion in this country; the flag is too easily equated with the Bible and the cross as a symbol of faith. This is dangerous business. Historically, Western Christians have tended to associate Christianity with Western culture to the detriment of world evangelization. As world Christians, it is imperative that the love of our country is never placed ahead of—or alongside of—our love for God and our commitment to spread the gospel worldwide.

Ruth A. Tucker

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Blessed is that nation that has a “blur” between allegiance to God and allegiance to the state; a nation in which its emblem, the flag, has significance much deeper than racial affinity or geographic boundaries; a nation that expects its President to place his hand on the Bible as a token of his sincerity in avowing support for the Constitution. Desecration of the flag that waves over such a nation may be “free speech,” but it is an insult to the people and a sacrilege toward him who brought this nation into being.

The “confusion” decried in the article lies in its author assuming that “sacred” denotes only what pertains to deity.

Charles Notson

Seattle, Wash.

The statement “The flag is not sacred” is a plain expression of Christian truth. That it sounds shocking is a testimony to how far U.S. Christians have confused Christian identity and allegiance to the kingdom of God with national identity.

Howard A. Snyder

United Theological Seminary

Dayton, Ohio

Standing—By God’S Grace

I appreciated the three articles on homosexuality [“Can Homosexuals Really Change?” Aug. 18]. They helped me understand the difficulties and deep struggles of some of those involved. Yet I wonder if many were not asking the wrong questions. The ideas of “cure rates,” “changed sexual orientation,” “drop-out stories,” and other percentages paint a rather bleak picture. Who says desires must be changed completely before “success” is claimed? I do not believe God eradicates the sinful nature completely but enables us to stand by his grace. I believe the ex-gay movement would be better to focus on grace to stand rather than “changed sexual orientation.”

Charles Glover

Ridgway, Pa.

Your articles on homosexuality missed one point. About half the men I have met in Sex Addicts Anonymous have, like myself, compulsively engaged in homosexual acts over a period of years. Many of us are using twelve-step programs to recover our sanity, gradually. No sex addict—whether homosexual or heterosexual in his addiction—should think his situation is hopeless.

God has one loving commandment for all unmarried people: celibacy. This rule applies equally to the thousands of heterosexuals who will never marry and to the smaller number of homosexuals. If the homosexual’s orientation is used to make him an exception, then he has a license for grief and self-destruction.

Dick H.

Washington, D.C.

Thanks for an insightful analysis of our organization. Readers wishing a list of ex-gay ministries can write us at P.O. Box 2121, San Rafael, California 94912.

Members of Evangelicals Concerned accuse ex-gay leaders of making empty claims. But I think they are guilty of that, not us. For years they have defended the concept of homosexual monogamy. I have yet to meet one “Christian homosexual” who has had sex with only one other person—their “lifelong mate.”

Bob Davies

Exodus International

San Rafael, Calif.

“Negative” and “patronizing” describe the homosexual articles. Our response to any problem of Christian concern must be positive and considerate, but uninhibited regarding the mention of sin and salvation. The term cure is inappropriate. Divorced, single, widowed, and homosexual Christians have a common restraint.

Paul W.

Belmont, Calif.

Kudos to Tim Stafford for “Coming Out.” We were especially grateful that it addressed the influence of the pro-homosexual-lifestyle organization Evangelicals Concerned. Let us react with sad compassion toward those who share the opinion of its founder, Ralph Blair, and offer our objection, as did Stafford, in measured rebuke with gentleness and love.

Rich Poll

Christian Research Institute

Irvine, Calif.

Can heterosexuals really change? When the answer to that question is yes, I will acknowledge that homosexuals can really change.

Nancy Peeler Keppel

Raleigh, N.C.

Stanton L. Jones says “change is most likely when the counselee is young, highly motivated, has functioned successfully as a heterosexual, does not manifest gender-identity confusion, and has been involved in minimal homosexual behavior.” That definition perfectly describes a typical bisexual whose heterosexuality equals or exceeds his homosexuality. Few gays would identify with that definition. Genuine heterosexuals reading that get a badly distorted view of the situation. People need to know this: If you visited a typical gay bar that caters to a clientele aged 28 and above, you’d find around 25 percent were either married or divorced. CT might gain greater credibility doing an article on ex-straights and what can be done to prevent their defection.

Claude T. Vincent

Nashville, Tenn.

Your recent discussion of ministries aimed at “healing” gays and lesbians omitted the experiences of gays and lesbians who have integrated their sexuality and their faith. I realize the suggestion that such a synthesis exists violates deeply held evangelical convictions.

Two years ago I spent three months as a chaplain intern on an AIDS ward in San Francisco. Seeking affordable housing, I sought help from a reconciling congregation and another going through the process of becoming a church in which gay and lesbian people are invited into the whole life of the church. I lived in two gay households and met many lesbian and gay couples.

I regret most evangelical Christians isolate themselves from such experiences. Theological debates are much safer than getting to know human beings who may challenge us to reexamine our certainties.

Robin Scott Andress

San Marcos, Tex.

Colin Cook’s article makes me wonder if it is good stewardship to suggest lesbian and gay Christians should spend the rest of their lives so heavily invested in a struggle with their sexuality. Wouldn’t it be better stewardship of our freedom in Christ to encourage the formation of responsible, committed homosexual relationships and to use the freedom created by those relationships to struggle against the forces of unbelief, injustice, and hate?

Rev. Tim Phillips

Grace Baptist Church

Chicago, Ill.

I laud you. It takes more bravado to tackle an issue like homosexuality with one quill of fairness than with a quiverfull of evangelical “pat” answers. Your trilogy of articles are quite fair, I believe, and fruitful in generating hope for deliverance, albeit slow, for patient believers. Your treatment generates something else, too: real stuff for the church to mull over.

R. Gary Ryan

University, Miss.

Reviving the Revival Meeting

At last month’s planning meeting, someone suggested we hold a revival next spring. Talk about dropping a bomb. You’ve never seen so many people study their shoes. For the longest time, no one said a word.

Finally, the pastor spoke. “You know, that’s not a bad idea, but revival meetings sort of, uh, scare people off. Maybe we should call it something like spiritual-emphasis week or personal-enrichment seminar.”

The idea began to take.

“Or why not a family-life conference?” one of the elders suggested. “Everybody’s talking family these days.”

This was great.

“Or how about focusing on the drug problem?”

“Or AIDS?”

Harold Hernley, who coaches the high-school baseball team thought a sports theme would draw a bigger crowd. He thought he could even get a major-league player to speak if we held it before spring training.

Before long, we had the entire week planned. The theme would be “Catch the Spirit,” and we would use miniature baseball mitts in our promotional materials. To get kids to attend, we would sponsor a baseball-card swap. Teens who invited the most outsiders would receive tickets to a major-league ball game. And after each service we would serve hot dogs and root beer.

We spent the rest of the meeting talking about professional athletes who are Christians. Even the women were getting into it.

All in all, it was one of our better meetings. Our men’s fellowship director pretty much summed up our thoughts: “I never thought I could get this excited about a revival meeting!”

EUTYCHUS

In Another Category?

Regarding David Neff’s editorial “Life After Webster” [Aug. 18], I could not believe my eyes to read that during Prohibition both crime and vice were “greatly reduced.” That was what some of the churches wished when they initiated the passing of the amendment. The exact opposite happened.

The prolife issue is in another category altogether. It concerns the preservation of individual rights—the constitutional right to life and personhood upon which all other rights depend. I would advise every Christian whose sight may still be clear to vote on the merits of the one issue alone that carries in its train the fortification of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Eleanor Reed

Boston, Mass.

To the extent you are serious about winning the hearts and minds of the American public regarding abortion, here’s a suggestion: Whenever possible, refrain from using the phrase “abortion issue.”

Abortion is a problem of human suffering. So let’s talk about abortion with the same heart-felt, muscle-bound, Christian vocabulary we are bringing to hunger, drug abuse, and disease. Don’t limit yourself to the grammar of politics and the rhetoric of debate. Ultimately, it is the abortion problem with which we must deal.

Steven Paul Wissler

Taskforce of United Methodists

on Abortion and Sexuality

Ephrata, Pa.

Of Guns And Swords

I am writing as a former police chaplain and commissioned police officer regarding your news article “Guns: Should They Be in Christian Homes?” [Aug. 18], Having a gun in the home is very much a personal matter. You will recall that some of Jesus’ disciples carried swords, no doubt for protection. Peter struck the high priest’s servant with his sword, although his action at this time was uncalled for. Surely the same principle applies to those who wish to carry guns for protection.

There are already sufficient laws to adequately control the sale and possession of firearms. What is needed are not additional laws but implementation of the laws already on the books.

Rev. Cecil Siriwardene

Clifton Park Community Church

Clifton Park, N.Y.

The time to beat our swords into plowshares is not yet. Indeed, while evil is in the world, swords are the order of the day. Only when Jesus returns and eliminates evil will there be no need to be concerned about protecting our loved ones from it.

Michael R. Hamilton

Laguna Beach, Calif.

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