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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-02-04, Page 13ge 12 PoYOwR vim. Letters to the Editor Phipps' views questioned � Ipperwash situation needs to be settled "His gracious demeanor and artic- ulate presentation curried support for this advocate of social justice." Dear Editor: The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, Reverend Bill Phipps, came to Exeter recently- to defend his theological views that have come under fire in recent months. His gracious demeanor and .articulate presentation curried support for this advo- cate of social justice. I fear, however. that the gravity of the issue may not be readily grasped. His depar- ture from the orthodox position of Jesus Christ in face being God and having physicallybeen resur- rected from the dead flies in the face of the teaching of the Scriptures and the position( of the Christian church that has been defended down through history through church councils and in creedal statements. Rev. Phipps would have us believe that these indispensable and central truths to our faith are open for debate and that each person has the right to his' own opinion. While I grant that everyone is entitled 'to his own opinion. everyone is not entitled to his own truth. Though it is socially acceptable to be tol- erant to the point of affirming all beliefs as equally valid. Jesus never permitted that in his own teaching. The Christian faith is not based on human opinions, but on a body of revealed truth - the Bible. Our faith derives not from human spepulation batt divine re‘e- lation. Doctrine - correct doctrine far from being superfluous and unnecessary,, is. the very heart and foundation of our faith and practice. The apostle Paul affirmed, "You must.teach what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). It was never optional.Are these issues important? Apparently they were to the apostles who defended the faith against such heretical attacks. They were to the church who con- vened councils to deal with spurious and divergent claims and teaching and who formulated creeds in defense of the truth. It is regrettable that segments of the church are falling prey to the prevailing attitudes of culture that scoff at the notion that truth is objective and authori- tative. God's intention was not that the church be adrift in a subjective of human opinion, wondering what is reliable. That is why we have the Bible. The affable personality and gifted oratory of Rev. Phipps ought not to mask the fact that his views, no matter how graciously presented stand outside the parameters of the Christian faith that is revealed in the Scripture. Let's not he too quick to uncritically throw bouquets in his direction. When we tamper with the very heart of what it means to he Christian we undermine what our faith is all about. Rev. Kevin Rutledge, Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church Searching for a daughter "...1 have lived in emotional pain - ever since. "- Dear Editor: I am a birth mother in search of my daughter. I want an opportunity to encourage adoptive parents to he more considerate of biological parents. In my opinion. in most cases, a certain level of communication between adoptive parents and adopt- ed children determines how long biological parents wait to he reunited. Eighteen -year-olds that have been reunited with biological parents are usually the ones that were placed with parents that encouraged them to do so. April 20. 1979 in Woodstock, Ontario. I had no other alternative but to place my daughter for adop- tion. When 1 came home from the hospital I was made to shut -up for the next eighteen years and I have lived in emotional pain ever since. Since April 20; her eighteenth birthday, I have been slipping into that state of mind I was in eigh- teen years ago. 1 don't want to go there! Please adoptive parents, biological parents need to heal! Take into consideration, adopted children need to talk openly and need to express feelings about wanti- ng to search. Adoptive parents need to realize it's not about coming hack to take them away. It's about a healing and to have a loving relationship that isan extension to the love they already have. I have an adopted brother who will always he my . brother, even when he locates his biological parents. Many children including my hrothcr have been placed with parents that didn'rcommunicate with their children. These are the children that have wait- ed until raid -twenties or even much later to search. Please adoptive parents, don't leave biological parents in misery for'anothcr number of years past the eighteenth birthday. Live up to the legal and moral responsibilities and.encourage your children to register (at Toronto Adoption Disclosure at 1-416- 327-4730) to allow others to love them too. In my opinion. when more adoptive parents com- municate with their children. more eighteen -year- olds would he searching for biological parents: When this happens we will be able to point out to government that there's no reasim why our adoption records couldn't he opened.. Communication is the key! Yours truly, Barb Drake. Georgetown; P.E.I. Thanks to TA for recognizing efforts of local people Re: Missionary to Albania thanks Canadian Foodgrains Bank... Dear Editor: I just finished reading the above mentioned article that appeared in your paper January 7 and want to thank you for the coverage you gave to the work of David Allison and Canadian Foodgrains Bank. As one of our 13 partners, the Church of the Naz- arene regularly provides food aid and development assistance to the world's hungry through Canadian Foodgrains Bank. We are also fortunate to receive l tremendous volunteer support from farmers and church congregations across Ontario. Last year, we had close to 100 community growing projects grow- ing everything from soybeans and wheat, to pop- corn, sunflowers and popcorn. The proceeds from these projects - and in some cases the actual grain - provide much needed food for thousands of people in countries such as North Korea, Ethiopia, Rwanda. Haiti and many more. Thank you for recognizing the efforts of local peo- ple in your community to make a difference in thc lives of the world's hungry and for sharing this story with them. Sincerely, Canadian Foodgrain Bank Trish Jordan Resources Coordinator Violence for beginners "A child needs to learn and respect very early the clearly opposite meanings of 'yes -and -no' choices. Dear Editor: Many of us have been both shocked and fright- ened by recent reports of violent behaviour by chil- dren against other children on school playgrounds and away from school. Most recently in separated incidents on the same daytwochildren at play were injured, one by the missile from a pellet gun and one by the dart from a primitive -style blow gun. Neither injury was life-threatening nor was so intended to he, I am certain, but in either case an eye could have .been lost. This week another child, a girl. was sen- tenced to three years of corrective detention for a knife attack on•a younger fellow pupil. Isolated inci- dents arc being reported all too frequently from widely separated points of small gang attacks by minors on victims of varying ages. And the inci- dence of fire -lighting in school corridors and wash- rooms are mere child's play by comparison but had enough for starters. Is society failing these juvenile perpetrators or arc they imitating what they hcar or read about or watch on T.V.? For some years decades ago thc writcr was the principal of an urban elementr.-y school in the across -the -tracks arca of a highly industrialized Ontario city. There were problems, some verging on the violent, but which yielded to parent -pupil - teacher -principal conferences and occasional police intervention. But the school had authority to act and this authority was respected, even when a serious misdemeanor developed involving children on the way to and from school. Factors in both the home • and the school have changed in recent generations.to the point where many children arc left with responsi- bilities and decisions of importance to he made on 'their own, long before they have gained the ability to deal most effectively with thein. Inevitably the whole child comes to school bringing his on-going - and unsolved problems with him..Small wonder it is. that an unprecedented proportion of school pupils today need special programs and one-on-one guid- . ance by resource teachers. Having been exposed to and at least vicariously involved in three younger generations, the writer is of the opinion that some of the time -worn constants should be operative in the teaching and guiding of children in both home and school. A child needs to learn and respect very early the clearly opposite meanings of "yes -and -no" choices. How else can hc learn to apply them rightly to his own decisions and actions as he matures? He must thereby learn that hc has no right to being an exception from accepting . and conforming to what, for the good of all, is required in thc matter of support and obedience to . acceptable constitutional and moral laws of his-scx:i- ety. As for the adults in the home and thc teachers in the schools, they should not have to be fearful of applying measures of guidance and restraint with children if such measures can be recognized, as such as would be used by a kind and judicious parent. The writer would hazard another recommendation that might help to strengthen family bonds and underline precepts of happy living. Establish a church home which the family attends and shares in its program and where the children attend the Sunday school and youth programs. We all need all the help we can get. Gerry Dobrindt, Exctcr • NENII • r • r • i_ ri r MINI 1 "The following is a brief outline of it emotional, mental, physical, addiction etc. Benefits The above two areas if handled in a professional manner could become a CulturaIHealing/I'eaching Center which could become an attraction for people from a wide area. Such a concept would: • Support the natives in their desire to return to. what! see 'could be a possible solution to the problems..." - Dear Editor: . Enclosed you will find a proposal which I believe would address to -a greater depth the issues we are facing at Ipperwash: their native culture. Would create a sense of belong - The end result of this proposal will deliver a mes- ing, pride and honors and respects their heritage. The' . sage to all concerned that our native people are a opportunities for spin off effects are apparent. valued part of our heritage and would demonstrate - Manitoulin Island is a good example of this. our desire to help make this fact a reality. • Would support the fast growing segment of our The following is a brief outline of what 4 see could todaywho are seekingknowledge and be a possible solution to the problems at Ipperwash. population g understanding of self-help methods of healing them - Land 'return and compensation will help to heal: selves physically, emotionally, and mentally. the physical wounds but will not address the emo- Would create economic spin off, increase land tional wounds. The bottom line is a return of dignity; values as_well as healing old wounds for those living pride in our culture and a sense of belonging. Every in the area. human being seeks these and they cannot be attained • Would keep the land open to all citizens creating by separation but by working together toward a an opportunity to live and work together. mutual goal. ; - • Would leave a legacy of pride and harmony to Proposal: our children. I. Let the provincial park remain open as a public Finding theright answers is best summed up in camping ground.the final two lines ofa poem written by native author 2. Set aside two areas of the campgrounds to be Nancy Wood, used for: 'All things'return to those who pray for under - (a) Native Ceremonies and Rituals thus respecting standing. - _ the belief that there may be a sacred burial- site on All things depart from those with anger in their the grounds; (b)-Teaching/Healing Center where: Native cos- hearts." - . - toms and culture can be taught and be experienced I pray foie compassion, understanding and the will by the public and our school children; and Self -heal- healby our negotiators and the people involved to finally ing methods can be taught and experienced. This is a- this painful situation, rapidly growing interest by many people today. This Dorothy Chapman; teaches us responsibility for our own well-being, be . Exeter • Reader troubled - by moderator's comments "On what authority does Mr. Phipps substantiate his state-. ments?" Dear Editor: I was very disturbed by the statements made by Bill Phipps according to the article, 'United Church moderator explains "the controversy" in the , January 21 issue of the Times -Advocate; disturbed to the point I. felt compelled to respond. For those who respect this man for his high posi- tion and eloquence of speech, it must at very least cause much confusion, let alone much undermining of the doctrine upon which Christianity stands. To answer "no" to the questions "Is Jesus God?", "Do you believe in heaven and hell?" and "Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead?"'is to deny three of the most basic and important principles of the - Christian faith. The Bible giveshnuch evidence that all three of those questions are answered witha . resounding"yes." - On what authority does Mr. Phipps substantiate - his statements? Certainly it is not the word of God, the Bible. . 0 Marilyn Miller,Woodham !/ Funds for Alzheimer programs ...hope- for today and a, cure for . tomorrow." Dear Editor: On Saturday, January 24, 1998 the Alzheimer Society of Huron County held the third annual indoor walk-a-thon "Walk for Memories". Through the special efforts of participating walkers. $8.000 was raised in Huron County. The money will be used to continue supporting families in Huron County who are affected by Alzheimer disease. A year ago, the Alzheimer Society of Huron County provided the Clinton Huron Adult Day Centre with $5,0(0 to expand their day away program. This year the Society is pleased to provide Wingharn Adult Day Centre with $3,750 to extend their day away program. Our fundraising alsosupportsthe services orga- nized by the Alzheimer Society'of Huron County, Special Steps (Friendly Visitor Program), Caregiver Support Groups, Wandering Persons Registry, Workshops, Resource Library. Speakers Bureau, Telephone Reassurance. . In addition, each year. 10 per cent of our fundrais- ing total goes to research to find a cause and cure for - Alzheimer disease. Thank you for giving so generously and support- ing the participants in the walk-a-thon. Your dona- - tion helps provide "hope for today and a cure 'for tomorrow". Fran Hook Aid for eastern Ontario farmers "...farmers wanted to relay the message of thanks to all who orga- nized and sent relief..." • Dear Editor: Wednesday, January 13, 1998, myself and fellow OFA Member Service Reps from western Ontario travelled to Cornwall to assist eastern Ontario farm- ers affected by the ice storm. Working from Cornwall. we travelled each day to specific areas that were still without hydro and in some cases with - no phones. I visited farms in Glengarry, Stormont and Prescott Counties. Our job was to assist those farms that had no generators, or were sharing gener- ators with neighbors, and get them in contact with the various generator depots set up by OMAFRA. Along the way wc also got them in contact with emergency shelters for food and firewood, electri- cians, and repair shops for the numerous generators that were breaking down. Words alone can't begin to describe the impact this storm had on the areas we visited. Mile after mile of snapped off hydro poles, transformers hanging across hydro wires, and trees down everywhere. In total close to 10,500 farms were affected in the twelve county area of eastern Ontario, representing 2.5 million acres of farmland. Those who had generators before the storm were now having to deal with them breaking down as they are not designed to run for days at a time. We encountered many dairy farms who for the first cou- ple days of the storm couldn't milk, or who were having to dump thc milk because the processing plants were also down. Many herds sharing genera- tors with neighbors initially milking on a rotating basis were only able to milk once or twice every day and a half. Their main concern was to get power so they could do the chores, and when generators did arrive it still took most of their time just to do chores as they rotated between running milking equipment, bulk tanks, stable cleaners, silo unloaders, pumps and if lucky getting some heat for the house. The toll of doing this for a week or more was certainly wear- ing down their spirit, as one farmer put it, "we are ` powerless in more ways than one. it's like we've been cut off from the rest of the world." The concern shown for their neighbors was still very evident, as time and again we were directed to other farms that - they felt were worse off "we are coping but could you please check on so and so up the road as we hear they still don't have a generator" was often the response. There are too many situations to describe here as to what wc came across. but the underlying message is- that wherever we went, farmers wanted to relay the message of thanks to all who organized and sent relief in the form of generators. food, firewood, sup- plies, manpower etc. Regardless of the farm organi- zation, commodity, church, business or community organizations that rallied to send relief to those affected by the storm, a huge thank you from the farmers of eastern Ontario. Donations continue to pourinto the Ontario Rural Relief Fund set up by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Foundation for Rural Living. The fund will be used to cover the cost of items not covered by insurance policies or provincial and fed- eral disaster relief program. To make a contribution to the Ontario Rural Relief Fund, donors can call one of four telephone numbers. To make a $25.00 dona- tion dial 1-900-630-0025; for $50.00 donations dial 1-900-630-0050; for $125.00 donations dial I -900- 630-0125; and for $250.00 donations dial 1-900- 630-0250. Contributions will be charged to the donor's telephone number. Donations can also be dropped off at local branches of the CIBC or Royal Bank. Cheques can be mailed to the "Ontario Rural Relief Fund," c/o the Foundation for Rural Living, 150 Geddes St., Elora, Ont. NOB ISO. Tax receipts will be issued to all donors, whether they make their contributions through the phone lines or through the foundation. Paul Nairn, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Member Service Representative, Huron/Perth, Clinton