A word of appriciaton

A Word of Appriciaton

By Joe Renna

I really appreciate the response I receive from the readers of this paper. It has made for very interesting discussion. But I especially appreciate those who write. It takes courage to express your opinion on paper and sign your name to it. Which is why it is rarely done. In the spirit of one of this country's most basic freedoms, I encourage readers to write letters about issues of concern to our community.

My views are pretty moderate and unless you want to argue about frying or baking your meatballs, this paper is not that controversial. Last month, though, I did receive some flack for October's cover story. Reaction was positive and in support of my views on terrorism, but I was criticized for my choice of words in the headline. The concern is legitimate and deserves an explanation. I'm not looking to change anyone's view point but just explain mine.

Lillian Paulick and Cynthia Coppa were most eloquent in expressing their views. Their letters appear to the right of this column. I don't agree with their stance but they are entitled to their opinion and I am more than happy to give them this forum to express it. The three of us would have been stoned to death in Afghanistan for doing so. It makes what we're doing feel pretty cool.

The words in the headline weren't chosen lightly. They weren't chosen to shock or offend anyone, though some readers were. I chose the words because they expressed exactly the thought I wanted them to. I really wanted God to condemn terrorism. I wish to note that it is terrorism that I am asking about and not the terrorists. As a country we can deal with the terrorists. We will drop bombs and annihilate our enemies until we are satisfied. It wouldn't be the first time that man's solution to problems is war and won't be the last. But this terrorism thing has gotten me baffled. Even with Osama and his cohorts out of the ways the essence of their threat will still live in their offspring and so I prayed to God to intervene. And that's what the head line was - a prayer. After reading the text that accompanied the headline, it should have been clear that it was rather rhetorical at that.

The use of the word "damn" in my headline was one of the rare times you will see it used properly. It wasn't used in vain. I didn't stub my toe on the bed post and blurt it out. It was a real concern and a real request. To have such a strong emotion and not express it would have gone against human nature. Even Jesus during times of great despair on the Mount of Olives asked God to "take his cup of suffering" (Luke 22:42) knowing all along that it could not be done.

I discussed the headline and its meaning with both my 9-year-old and 10-year-old daughters. They understand what I meant and why I chose those words. They also know where the line is drawn when it comes to irreverence.

I discuss God and my beliefs openly with my children. Too many people raise their children like veal, thinking they are protected from the evils of the world by keeping them in a box safe from MTV and newspaper headlines. America is chasing an entire army of such people through the cave-riddled Tora Bora mountains.

Religion isn't a competition of whose beliefs are the most righteous. The goal of divine wisdom is obstructed by man's limited capacity to understand it. We each live by a set of rules that works for us. From the perspective of the omnipotent creator and ruler of the universe they must seem pretty silly.

Not for Nothing But...
I don't think God cares much for semantics.