Letters to the Editor 12-06-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- God Is Love - Lines Blurred - Lawmaker Resigns - What Would Jesus Drive? - Created Equal
God Is Love
Editor, Times-Union:This is something that I need to say. The GSA needs to hear this too.
There was a man that died in 1997. A man whose life meant a lot to so many. He was not only a great musician but someone who knew the Bible very well. His name was Rich Mullins. (Rich was from Lynn, Ind.). Rich was a friend of my family in one way or another. He worked at one time with my brother and was best friends with my cousin. He was also my counselor for two years at a church conference that I would attend as a teenager. We all learned a lot from his life.
Since his death there has been a book written about his life. Much of the book came directly from his personal journals. This book has been used as a devotional in many parts of the church and my cousin used it as a text in one of his college classrooms. The title of the book is: "an Arrow Pointing to Heaven."
There is one story from the book that I need to share. It's about a time that Rich had met a gay man while he had been camping on the Appalachian Trail. He met him while in a small town restaurant. Here it is, from Rich.
"I was having a steak, and this guy started talking to me and we had this great conversation. We were having a good time." And the man said, "Hey look, it's dark and it's five miles up the road to your campground. Why don't I drive you up there?"
And I said "Hey, great!" We got into his car and the guy said, "you know what, I should probably tell you that I am gay." And I said, "Oh! I should probably tell you that I am a Christian." He said, "Well, if you want out ..." I said, "Why?" He said, "I thought Christians hated gays." I said, "That's funny, I thought Christians were supposed to love. I thought that was our first command."
He said, "Well, I thought God hated gays." And I said, "That's really funny, because I thought God was love." And then he asked me the big one. He said, "Do you think I will go to hell for being gay?"
Well, I'm a good Hoosier, and I puckered up to say, "Yes, of course you'll go to hell for being gay." I got ready to say that, but when I opened up my mouth it came out, "No, of course you won't go to hell for being gay. ... You won't go to hell for being gay, any more than I would go to hell for being a liar. Nobody goes to hell because of what they do. We go to hell because we reject the grace that God so longs to give to us, regardless of what we do." This book can be found at your local book store.
Now, from me ...
I was raised in a Christian home, with three ministers. I was brought up in the church. Although I do not totally believe the same as my family, I do believe in God, a loving God. I do trust in my own salvation. Yes, I am gay, but God loves me and he will always be there for me. I know that. It has taken me a while, but I do know that. I love him as well. I also really love my family.
I believe that strongly. And I know that there are students in the GSA that believe in God. Keep believing and keep loving. You're OK!
Kerry Mills
Warsaw
via e-mail
Lines Blurred
Editor, Times-Union:It isn't gay individuals I have a problem with. I went to school with them, too, and we always got along fine. It's organizations with a political agenda that I get tired of. If the Gay-Straight Alliance is a forum for discussion and understanding, then more power to them. It's the organizations who keep chipping away at the mainstream moral fabric of America that I object to. Not just gay rights groups, but also groups who insist that animals should have the same rights as humans, etc. The lines are becoming more blurred each year.
I think each individual's character should be the yardstick you use to determine their worth as someone you would or would not choose to associate with or do business with. I'm not trying to condemn any group or individual person because they happen to be gay.
I'm just fed up with being told that I should feel guilty for having old-fashioned values and beliefs.
Howard Shoemaker
South Whitley
via e-mail
Lawmaker Resigns
Editor, Times-Union:As you may know, I have made the decision to resign my position as state representative and to accept a position as executive director of the Casino Association of Indiana. It was certainly not my intention, however, for the decision to be made so public without my first having an opportunity to notify my constituents, friends, family and fellow Republicans of the news.
The story was reported prematurely by an Indianapolis newspaper that erroneously depicted an image of a lobbying organization chasing after a legislator to "lobby" in the halls of the statehouse. In point of fact, my position as executive director will focus on regulatory affairs, public relations, education and responsible gaming. A very small percentage of my job will be legislative. I must say that I am extremely disappointed in the sensationalism that has surrounded my resignation. While I understand that the truth does not always sell papers, I am sorry that the facts have been distorted and that the citizens of District 16 and the state of Indiana have not been provided a clear picture of the circumstances surrounding my departure.
Throughout the years, public service has been and will continue to be the most important aspect of my professional life. My proudest achievements, outside of family, have been encompassed in my years as a state legislator. Leaving my friends and colleagues in the Indiana House was not an easy decision to make. Redirecting my efforts on behalf of Hoosiers from my work in the state legislature to promoting an industry that can help the Hoosier economy will be quite a challenge.
However, at this point in my life, I feel that I can continue my service to the public and embrace this new challenge. I have always done what I felt was best for my constituents and for the state. My goal now will be to continue to steer this industry toward strengthening the Hoosier economy while working to ensure responsible gaming. Being in the forefront of the changes that this industry will bring and making them work for Hoosiers is a challenge that I feel I am best qualified to undertake.
I would like to thank those who have supported me over the years, including my family, friends and the voters of District 16. I plan to remain very active in my community and I look forward to discussing this decision with my friends and neighbors. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about my resignation. Best wishes and have a very happy holiday season!
Mike Smith
State Representative
Rensselaer
via e-mail
What Would Jesus Drive?
Editor, Times-Union:What Would Jesus Drive, I mean really? I heard about this campaign about a week ago and it hit me as absurd at the time and still does. A take off, and yet unlike the WWJDo campaign a number of years ago, the WWJDrive crowd seeks to control the choices of millions, about a specific topic, by making them feel guilty. They may be well-intentioned folks but they miss the point of WWJDo.
This originally caught fire because it did not touch on any one specific issue or cause. This was to be a mindset among those professing to follow Christ, to help them with personal choices. It is a view or tool that enhances the personal relationship a follower has with Jesus. It finds its roots in the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:1-5, which calls us to be "like-minded." It is a "rule if you will" that one imposes on his or her self. Not a log to beat your brother over the head with.
The WWJDrive group on the other hand, unless they can enlighten me, seeks to change the way others live by coming up with their own set of rules, claiming that Jesus would not drive an SUV. To me that is a stretch.
There was another group during Jesus' time that had much the same approach. Instead of sticking with the original 10 Commandments, they wrote volumes of legalistic rules and regulations, many of which were infected with interpretation of man. This was an attempt to prove them to be better than others. But what was lacking was their motive. The Pharisees, instead of desiring to please God, sought to please men.
When automobile shopping I believe it is proper, even, might I be so bold as to say "mandatory" of a Christian, to ask WWJDo? But I don't believe it is proper to wage a politically correct campaign such as this, and tie it to Christ. We just don't have enough evidence in the Bible to be able to say, without a doubt, Jesus would not drive an SUV. I believe that Jesus, being as pragmatic as he was spiritual, would have driven an SUV on some of his trips through the desert and even into the mountains. He may have done like so many others on tour during the 21st century, and had a huge motorhome, using it to criss-cross the country, being able to sleep along the way and arrive fresh.
What Would Jesus Drive? I really don't know, but I would bet his first choice would have probably been 400 cubic inch, 15-passenger van. After all he did have 12 disciples.
Jack Wilhite
Warsaw
via e-mail
Created Equal
Editor, Times-Union:I am appalled. How could something like this happen in Warsaw, Indiana? It's apparent the youth are out of control. They're clearly brainwashing the high school administration and attempting to take over the town with their horrid liberal ideas of - dare I say it? - tolerance. Someone has obviously taught them to think for themselves. How else would they learn the idea of tolerance to begin with? It's quite clear they're not learning this concept from their elders in the community.
Who is responsible for teaching the youth to rebel like they are? How can parents lose control of their children like this? A gay - straight alliance? What's next - allowing teachers to teach whatever reading material they want? Where did the idea that all students should feel accepted come from? Why should homosexual students not feel like outcasts?
No one really meant "All men are created equal" did they? Those were just words on a page that looked and sounded good.
Obviously this club needs to be abolished before the unthinkable happens and this concept of tolerance spreads throughout the entire community.
Jen Wilson
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
via e-mail
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- God Is Love - Lines Blurred - Lawmaker Resigns - What Would Jesus Drive? - Created Equal
God Is Love
Editor, Times-Union:This is something that I need to say. The GSA needs to hear this too.
There was a man that died in 1997. A man whose life meant a lot to so many. He was not only a great musician but someone who knew the Bible very well. His name was Rich Mullins. (Rich was from Lynn, Ind.). Rich was a friend of my family in one way or another. He worked at one time with my brother and was best friends with my cousin. He was also my counselor for two years at a church conference that I would attend as a teenager. We all learned a lot from his life.
Since his death there has been a book written about his life. Much of the book came directly from his personal journals. This book has been used as a devotional in many parts of the church and my cousin used it as a text in one of his college classrooms. The title of the book is: "an Arrow Pointing to Heaven."
There is one story from the book that I need to share. It's about a time that Rich had met a gay man while he had been camping on the Appalachian Trail. He met him while in a small town restaurant. Here it is, from Rich.
"I was having a steak, and this guy started talking to me and we had this great conversation. We were having a good time." And the man said, "Hey look, it's dark and it's five miles up the road to your campground. Why don't I drive you up there?"
And I said "Hey, great!" We got into his car and the guy said, "you know what, I should probably tell you that I am gay." And I said, "Oh! I should probably tell you that I am a Christian." He said, "Well, if you want out ..." I said, "Why?" He said, "I thought Christians hated gays." I said, "That's funny, I thought Christians were supposed to love. I thought that was our first command."
He said, "Well, I thought God hated gays." And I said, "That's really funny, because I thought God was love." And then he asked me the big one. He said, "Do you think I will go to hell for being gay?"
Well, I'm a good Hoosier, and I puckered up to say, "Yes, of course you'll go to hell for being gay." I got ready to say that, but when I opened up my mouth it came out, "No, of course you won't go to hell for being gay. ... You won't go to hell for being gay, any more than I would go to hell for being a liar. Nobody goes to hell because of what they do. We go to hell because we reject the grace that God so longs to give to us, regardless of what we do." This book can be found at your local book store.
Now, from me ...
I was raised in a Christian home, with three ministers. I was brought up in the church. Although I do not totally believe the same as my family, I do believe in God, a loving God. I do trust in my own salvation. Yes, I am gay, but God loves me and he will always be there for me. I know that. It has taken me a while, but I do know that. I love him as well. I also really love my family.
I believe that strongly. And I know that there are students in the GSA that believe in God. Keep believing and keep loving. You're OK!
Kerry Mills
Warsaw
via e-mail
Lines Blurred
Editor, Times-Union:It isn't gay individuals I have a problem with. I went to school with them, too, and we always got along fine. It's organizations with a political agenda that I get tired of. If the Gay-Straight Alliance is a forum for discussion and understanding, then more power to them. It's the organizations who keep chipping away at the mainstream moral fabric of America that I object to. Not just gay rights groups, but also groups who insist that animals should have the same rights as humans, etc. The lines are becoming more blurred each year.
I think each individual's character should be the yardstick you use to determine their worth as someone you would or would not choose to associate with or do business with. I'm not trying to condemn any group or individual person because they happen to be gay.
I'm just fed up with being told that I should feel guilty for having old-fashioned values and beliefs.
Howard Shoemaker
South Whitley
via e-mail
Lawmaker Resigns
Editor, Times-Union:As you may know, I have made the decision to resign my position as state representative and to accept a position as executive director of the Casino Association of Indiana. It was certainly not my intention, however, for the decision to be made so public without my first having an opportunity to notify my constituents, friends, family and fellow Republicans of the news.
The story was reported prematurely by an Indianapolis newspaper that erroneously depicted an image of a lobbying organization chasing after a legislator to "lobby" in the halls of the statehouse. In point of fact, my position as executive director will focus on regulatory affairs, public relations, education and responsible gaming. A very small percentage of my job will be legislative. I must say that I am extremely disappointed in the sensationalism that has surrounded my resignation. While I understand that the truth does not always sell papers, I am sorry that the facts have been distorted and that the citizens of District 16 and the state of Indiana have not been provided a clear picture of the circumstances surrounding my departure.
Throughout the years, public service has been and will continue to be the most important aspect of my professional life. My proudest achievements, outside of family, have been encompassed in my years as a state legislator. Leaving my friends and colleagues in the Indiana House was not an easy decision to make. Redirecting my efforts on behalf of Hoosiers from my work in the state legislature to promoting an industry that can help the Hoosier economy will be quite a challenge.
However, at this point in my life, I feel that I can continue my service to the public and embrace this new challenge. I have always done what I felt was best for my constituents and for the state. My goal now will be to continue to steer this industry toward strengthening the Hoosier economy while working to ensure responsible gaming. Being in the forefront of the changes that this industry will bring and making them work for Hoosiers is a challenge that I feel I am best qualified to undertake.
I would like to thank those who have supported me over the years, including my family, friends and the voters of District 16. I plan to remain very active in my community and I look forward to discussing this decision with my friends and neighbors. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about my resignation. Best wishes and have a very happy holiday season!
Mike Smith
State Representative
Rensselaer
via e-mail
What Would Jesus Drive?
Editor, Times-Union:What Would Jesus Drive, I mean really? I heard about this campaign about a week ago and it hit me as absurd at the time and still does. A take off, and yet unlike the WWJDo campaign a number of years ago, the WWJDrive crowd seeks to control the choices of millions, about a specific topic, by making them feel guilty. They may be well-intentioned folks but they miss the point of WWJDo.
This originally caught fire because it did not touch on any one specific issue or cause. This was to be a mindset among those professing to follow Christ, to help them with personal choices. It is a view or tool that enhances the personal relationship a follower has with Jesus. It finds its roots in the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:1-5, which calls us to be "like-minded." It is a "rule if you will" that one imposes on his or her self. Not a log to beat your brother over the head with.
The WWJDrive group on the other hand, unless they can enlighten me, seeks to change the way others live by coming up with their own set of rules, claiming that Jesus would not drive an SUV. To me that is a stretch.
There was another group during Jesus' time that had much the same approach. Instead of sticking with the original 10 Commandments, they wrote volumes of legalistic rules and regulations, many of which were infected with interpretation of man. This was an attempt to prove them to be better than others. But what was lacking was their motive. The Pharisees, instead of desiring to please God, sought to please men.
When automobile shopping I believe it is proper, even, might I be so bold as to say "mandatory" of a Christian, to ask WWJDo? But I don't believe it is proper to wage a politically correct campaign such as this, and tie it to Christ. We just don't have enough evidence in the Bible to be able to say, without a doubt, Jesus would not drive an SUV. I believe that Jesus, being as pragmatic as he was spiritual, would have driven an SUV on some of his trips through the desert and even into the mountains. He may have done like so many others on tour during the 21st century, and had a huge motorhome, using it to criss-cross the country, being able to sleep along the way and arrive fresh.
What Would Jesus Drive? I really don't know, but I would bet his first choice would have probably been 400 cubic inch, 15-passenger van. After all he did have 12 disciples.
Jack Wilhite
Warsaw
via e-mail
Created Equal
Editor, Times-Union:I am appalled. How could something like this happen in Warsaw, Indiana? It's apparent the youth are out of control. They're clearly brainwashing the high school administration and attempting to take over the town with their horrid liberal ideas of - dare I say it? - tolerance. Someone has obviously taught them to think for themselves. How else would they learn the idea of tolerance to begin with? It's quite clear they're not learning this concept from their elders in the community.
Who is responsible for teaching the youth to rebel like they are? How can parents lose control of their children like this? A gay - straight alliance? What's next - allowing teachers to teach whatever reading material they want? Where did the idea that all students should feel accepted come from? Why should homosexual students not feel like outcasts?
No one really meant "All men are created equal" did they? Those were just words on a page that looked and sounded good.
Obviously this club needs to be abolished before the unthinkable happens and this concept of tolerance spreads throughout the entire community.
Jen Wilson
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
via e-mail
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