Don't support this concert

We brought a newspaper home and the TV section was part of it. We were slapped in the face with a picture of Ray Boltz. I've been to his concerts, spoken with him personally, and recognized his family. Our church prayed for his son when he had surgery in a third world country.

We can still pray for this family. But since he believes he is homosexual, his CDs are in the trash and we will not be seeing him. He has disappointed many people and devastated his family. I fear for his eternal soul.

We have spoken to several people since that newspaper came out, and we don't believe Jay County will show up in droves at this concert to promote a perverted lifestyle. The gays will come from other localities to increase the number attending.

Let's let the arts council know what we want and don't want in our county. We don't have to be "tolerant" of something that is wrong. We must stand for what is right. Be assertive and speak your mind. Love the sinner; hate the sin.

Karl and Cheryl Sodders

Redkey

Weighing in

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to join the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), discussion. I read Mrs. Peters excellent letter to the editor, which led me to dig through my old newspapers and find the Dan Lillard guest opinion she referenced. I've been busy so I missed that one.

Now I am not very eloquent in my grammar but rather earthy and blunt so please bear with me, I do have a point.

After reading Dan's letter I keyed in on some things he wrote and would like to debate them.

First of all your statement of the "new generation of gays" being more open and demanding is absolutely true, but militant might be a better description. The portrayal of gays in those TV shows and movies you talked about have truly inspired this "new generation". Funny how that works. If TV and movie producers would have broadcast programming which highlighting traditional family values, good work ethic and true American history instead, what would this "new generation" look like now? Of course if you sit kids in front of the tube for any length of time, they will assimilate to the culture portrayed, even when it's make believe.

Now to "encouraging discussions on different types of religions, ethnicities and sexual orientation." I find that odd that you put sexual orientation at the end of that comment. Reminds me of going to the drug store to buy a deck of cards, some toothpaste and, oh yeah, a dozen condoms. The real purpose was to buy condoms, the cards and toothpaste was camouflage. What are your qualifications to discuss religion and ethnicities with MY kids anyway?

"Gay Youth." Alright, how in the world does a school age child make a decision on their sexual orientation? Come on! How many of you "mature" readers, espouse the exact same life principles you had walking down the halls of your junior high school? No sir! You will change through your life experiences. You will gain knowledge and increase in wisdom and yes, even perhaps change your mind. But for a teenager or pre-teen to definitively make a decision on "sexual orientation?" I don't think so. Man I had enough trouble at that age with algebra!

Ok, how about this "gay bullying". Why are you defending only gays against bullying? Why not everybody? Who's being discriminated against by the limited scope that comes with "gay" being added to the title? What about the bullying of Christians? That's been going on a lot longer than "gay bullying". I was in the junior high chess club (yes really). You want to talk about bullying. Nobody stepped in with a "CGSJA" (Chess Geek, Sports Jock Alliance). Stop hiding. What's the real reason behind your GSA label and your mission to eliminate only gay bullying?

Finally, the thing that really frosted me is the comment you made about "shielding our children from diversity". Where in the world are you and your GSA proponents getting the idea that I need you to do this for MY kids? You don't even have kids Dan, so what makes MINE "ours"?

In closing, I humbly leave you all with this for contemplation. This "diversity" flag that the GSA and proponents of same sex activities are waving in our faces, is a principle not attached to anything. Like a helium balloon it just floats wherever the wind takes it. So where is right and wrong? What are the limits?

If you want to really make a difference in a kid's life, how about teaching them traditional American values, morals, good work ethic and how to treat each other with respect. How about teaching true American history instead of the revisionist, Godless version which the massive, pork-laden Department of Education (thank you Jimmy Carter), has decided our schools must use? How about getting on your knees and checking with God first, and then me before you try to help MY kids.

To all you GSA proponents and demanding same-sex folks who are trying to "help", stay away from my kids and grandkids! If I need you, I'll call.

Dave Milligan

Portland[[In-content Ad]]