Dear Editor,
In contemplating Easter Sunday, I am reminded of a letter from
an
”
atheist,
”
Marc Perkel. His letter and other news reports complaining about
abuses that occurred in the Roman Catholic Church about 40 years
ago make it sound like it is new news. Just as society has changed
it’s view of other abuses such as slavery, the view of how to
correct aberrant behavior of adults toward children has changed,
too.
At that time an effort was made to change the individual’s
behavior and put him in a more controllable environment. It did not
work in many cases. Today much sterner measures are taken such as
reporting suspected behavior to the police. With this and other
changes I am more confident that the problem is being mitigated in
the present. I was surprised to learn that the incidents in the
church then were about equal to the incidents in the general
population. I had hoped the church would have been significantly
lower.There is no likelihood of making an argument that would
satisfy Marc or others of his ilk that God exists. There is
however, a logical argument for believing in God.
Easter Sunday contemplation on sex abuse and the belief in God
Dear Editor,
In contemplating Easter Sunday, I am reminded of a letter from an “atheist,” Marc Perkel. His letter and other news reports complaining about abuses that occurred in the Roman Catholic Church about 40 years ago make it sound like it is new news. Just as society has changed it’s view of other abuses such as slavery, the view of how to correct aberrant behavior of adults toward children has changed, too.
At that time an effort was made to change the individual’s behavior and put him in a more controllable environment. It did not work in many cases. Today much sterner measures are taken such as reporting suspected behavior to the police. With this and other changes I am more confident that the problem is being mitigated in the present. I was surprised to learn that the incidents in the church then were about equal to the incidents in the general population. I had hoped the church would have been significantly lower.There is no likelihood of making an argument that would satisfy Marc or others of his ilk that God exists. There is however, a logical argument for believing in God.
Since belief is a choice there are only two options and three outcomes. If you believe in God and his son Jesus and live accordingly you are promised eternal life in paradise. If there is a God, you win eternal life. If not, it really doesn’t matter, does it? You will live a good life loving others either way. If you choose not to believe, you win oblivion. I suppose you will have no motivation to live a good life and love others, but that too is a choice. Which option will you choose? Personally, I have lived 73 years so far and all of it believing. I have decided that eternal life is transcendence into a state of LOVE.
I don’t expect mansions or an earth-like existence, much less 72 virgins for killing innocent people. I believe you should LOVE others and receive LOVE in return. All that LOVE is what you will enjoy when you pass on to the next state of being. Perhaps, that will make your life memorable and remembered. You will certainly enjoy it to the fullest.
John Herren, Gilroy
Kudos for the caring and helpful staff members at the Gilroy library
Dear Editor,
I would like to take a few minutes of my time to write a short letter of commendation praising the staff of the Gilroy library.
I have had a library card and been a Gilroy library patron for a number of years. Without exception I have found each one of the staff members to go out of their way to be friendly and in service at all times addressing my needs and questions as well as others.
It is individuals like the staff at the Gilroy library that makes Gilroy great!
Al Howard, Gilroy
$5 tax on a bottle of wine spurs a local poet to take pen in hand
Dear Editor,
This bad idea of a $5 tax
For every bottle of wine
It will put us way back
Into Nineteen Thirties time
When the Temperance League
Started this crazy condition
Which was rightly named
And the beginning of Prohibition
Remember those days
Of all those gangster men
Pass this tax and create
Another bunch of them
The temptation for black market
Will then be so enormously great
With tons of illegal profit
To be made in this state
Why do some people do this
When something doesn’t meet their approval
And want to impose a foolish tax
Or loudly cry for it’s removal
If you don’t like something
Then don’t spend your dime
Instead of trying to tax it
Or calling it a crime
Tom Engebretson, Gilroy
Quarterback Club at GHS looking for a few helpful volunteers
Dear Editor,
I am current Treasurer of the Gilroy High School Quarterback Club. We are kicking off the new season and we need help to raise money for the football team which promises to have a very exciting upcoming season.
The Quarterback Club sponsors game-day meals for varsity players, stipends for coaches and trainers, football camps, films, programs and sportswear for sale to the public. We have a couple of fund-raising events, including fireworks sales on the Fourth of July and volunteer work at the Garlic Festival. We need people. The more volunteers we have, the less everyone has to do. We also have room for new officers, including vice president and treasurer.
If you are interested in helping in any capacity, we would love to hear from you. Please call either myself, 847-3616, or President Tony Travis, 831-537-3979. Thanks.
Bill Guenther, Quarterback Club treasurer
