Dear Editor, I read with regret Lisa Pampuch’s annual diatribe
against religion. I am amazed at the Times for their continued
support of Lisa and her denigration of organized religion, or any
religious beliefs.
Columnist continues to rain on parade by denouncing religion
Dear Editor,
I read with regret Lisa Pampuch’s annual diatribe against religion.
I am amazed at the Times for their continued support of Lisa and her denigration of organized religion, or any religious beliefs. I do not understand the purpose of publishing her and what is her point. Last year she announced her membership in Freedom from Religion. Why? Again, what is the point? I did not see this group listed among the charities in the Times along with various organizations including, hold your breath, St. Catherine School.
I also happen to be privy to information that most churches are holding food drives. St. Anthony in Oakland is again feeding thousands in a low-income area. This must drive Lisa nuts. Here we are coming up on what is generally a happy time of the year and she wants to rain on the parade. This could help her with her “ataraxia.” Then again, next month we will have religious zealots everywhere wishing Merry Christmas. As for quoting Emerson and anger, Lisa is always angry.
Fred Oliveri, Morgan Hill
Confluence of students and seniors leads to dangerous intersection
Dear Editor,
One exit for the high school and the same exit for the senior mobile home park equals cars totaled, bodies broken and lives tipped upside down.
In an emergency, Burnett Avenue is full of high school students and parents, with no room for seniors. Come and visit, but don’t do it at 3 p.m. on a school day. There are no crosswalks. There are other possible avenues; one would be over to Peebles then out to Monterey; second, behind the school and the park straight to Monterey; or at least put in a crosswalk with stop sign at our park entrance.
Has the city forgotten our end of town?
Greg and Nina Huffman, Morgan Hill
Source of columnist’s peace is God
Dear Editor,
It is unfortunate that columnist Lisa Pampuch (My Point Exactly, Nov. 23) cannot recognize that the source of her peace is God, and is indeed a gift from God for which, as she correctly writes, we should all be grateful for.
Carol Agaliotis, Morgan Hill
Don’t lose faith, rather find a healthy spiritual environment
Dear Editor,
I felt bad for Lisa Pampuch when I read the Nov. 23 column about how her faith created fear, resentment, frustration and confusion in her life. It was also unfortunate that religious people had attempted to manipulate her, instill fear and threaten her. As a pastor, I would never want to be affiliated with people like that either. But unlike Lisa, I would counsel others who face a similar situation, not to walk away from their faith. Instead, walk away from that church, minister or congregation and find a healthy spiritual environment that encourages people in their faith journey. Find a church that challenges people to actually search the Holy Text and apply its principles to one’s life.
Like Lisa, many have stated there are contradictions in the Holy Text, but few can actually point them out. From the time skeptics began declaring inconsistencies in the ancient writings, scholars have refuted those claims and set the record straight. Lisa also claimed that science disproves the Holy Text. To the contrary, I believe careful examination of all the facts actually proves its accuracy and trustworthiness. In fact, geographic locations, historical documents and archeological discoveries all support and verify the truthfulness and precision of the Bible’s authors.
As for Lisa’s disillusionment regarding religious hypocrisy, I can only say I’m sorry. Unfortunately, it does exist in the faith community. However, hypocrisy exists in many other areas of life as well.
Certainly one thing that Lisa and I agree on is that life would be boring with the absence of difficulties, challenges and problems. Although, to be quite honest, there are times I would be more than willing to try the boring life. However, not only would life be mundane, we would also lack the character and faith building opportunities these problems afford us. This is the reason I believe God doesn’t prevent problems from happening in our lives.
Admittedly most of the problems we all face pale in comparison to the challenge that Lisa’s child had to face in overcoming a life threatening illness. But as Lisa pointed out, a challenge like that puts life in proper perspective. We learn that the most important things in life are good health, relationships, and for me, like many others, faith in God.
With Christmas upon us, I encourage you to take stock once again in that Child born to die in order that we might be brought back into a right relationship with God. Jesus himself said it only takes a little faith.
Mark Turner, associate pastor, South Valley Community Church
