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The Citizen, 2003-08-27, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2003. PAGE 7. Letter to the editor Tradition or discrimination ponders writer THE EDITOR, It is just tradition or is it discrimination? Is it about civil rights or is there more at stake? I’m referring to the current debate over same-sex marriage. I’ve read numerous articles on the subject lately. One such item was a letter published by The North Huron Citizen, from Mr. Fred Kirby of Tiverton, ON. In his letter, Mr. Kirby lamented that there seemed to be a greater “outcry” over this issue than there has been over “genocide in Rwanda” or even “the Holocaust”. He even suggested that those who are opposed to same-sex marriage are guilty of “bigotry”, and “man­ ‘Citizen’ welcomes new reporter Sandra Johnstone of Blyth joined the staff at The Citizen this week, replacing reporter/photographer Janice Becker who has accepted another position. Johnstone grew up on a Culross farm outside Teeswater. Her writing career began with elementary school poems and short stories. After two years at F.E. Madill Johnstone moved to Western Canada. She lived in Alberta and British Columbia for most of 15 years and worked in tourism. Johnstone went to Sri Lanka with the Canada World Youth exchange program; this adventure sparked her interest in sustainable development and cross-cultural learning. In 1993 she moved to Belize, Central America with her young family. She taught at an elementary school there and wrote for a Belizean magazine. Returning to Huron County so her made dogma”. At this time, I’d like to offer what I consider to be a Christian perspective. I agree with Mr. Kirby on the point that the church has often been curiously silent at times that great atrocities have been committed. One wonders why there wasn’t more resistance on the part of Christians, as Hitler rose to power. Perhaps the church at the time was simply afraid of offending someone by voicing their views. Perhaps they were trying to be “politically correct”. After all, we wouldn’t want to discriminate against those patriotic Nazis by denouncing their actions, would we? I should point out that I am a SANDRA JOHNSTONE New Citizen staffer children would be nearer to extended family, Johnstone lived in Clinton for five years. She has enjoyed life in Blyth for Bible-believing Christian. I use those terms because it has come to my attention in recent years that there are many people, and even organizations, who operate under the name of “Christian”, while choosing to ignore entire sections of the Bible. Where I come from, the Bible is considered to be the Word of God; and therefore, it is always true, and always relevant. Now that I’ve upset several people, let me zero in on same-sex marriage. For people like me, it’s not about civil rights, traditions, or fear of change. The Bible makes it very clear that marriage was invented by God, not by government the past year. She participates in Blyth Festival activities and is getting to know the community. She continues to write poetry and to freelance for agricultural publications. Johnstone’s son, Patrick, will attend Grade 8 at Blyth Public School. Raymon, her elder son, is working locally. Johnstone says she is excited about her new opportunity working at The Citizen. Check out the classifieds or the courts. This same God gives us a clear definition of marriage being a union of one man and one woman. Anything else is displeasing to God, regardless of what century we live in. Incidentally, God didn’t invent “common-law” either. Now, it’s not that God hates same- sex couples. In fact, He loves them immensely. He just doesn’t like the choice they’ve made, any more than He likes some of the choices the rest of us make. God loves people, but He hates sin. If pointing out God’s displeasure with certain choices is discrimination, then I’m also guilty of discriminating against murderers, thieves, and liars. Marriage is one of God’s principles and it forms the foundation of the family. My concern is that altering the definition of marriage will do long-term damage to future families. If marriage can be defined as two men or two women, then why not three men, or two men and one woman, or three men and a cat? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Surely, we’d never go that far! I’m sure my grandfather never imagined that we would even take it this far. Start playing with the definition of marriage now, and who Doug Gough, R.I.B. (ONT.) CAIB, Manager knows what future generations might do. And for future generations, the difference between “marriage” and “civil union” will be words only. The damage will have already been done, and the family unit may disappear altogether. I realize these comments of mine are not considered politically correct. But, as I said, I’m a Bible­ believing Christian. And ' Jesus Christ himself was never politically correct. He spoke the truth, even if it meant offending others. And He didn’t do backflips, trying to compromise with everyone. Marriage is based upon Biblical principles. Those same Biblical principles also serve as a foundation for many of our laws (or, at least, they used to). My challenge to Canadians is to look at the bigger picture, rather than just focus on appeasing whatever group decides to yell the loudest. In our national anthem, we sing, “God keep our land glorious and free”. 1 find it ironic that, as Canadians, we earnestly desire God’s blessings; yet we so often forget to listen to what He has to say. Thomas Bailey Blyth, ON. IVES INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. - BLYTH OFFICE 184 Dinsley St. W. Box 428 Blyth, ON N0M1H0 Tel: (519) 523-9655 Fax: (519) 523-9793 All Classes of Insurance WWW.IVESINSURANCE.COM ■ Municipality of Huron East Notice of Proposed By-Law To Stop Up, Close and Sell a Road Allowance Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of the Municipality of Huron East proposes to enact a by-law as described below to stop up, close and sell a road allowance. The proposed by-law and description of the lands affected may be viewed at the Huron East Municipal Office at the address hereinafter noted. The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron East will hear, in person or by counsel or agent, any person who claims their land will be prejudicially affected by the said by-laws and who applies to be heard at the meeting at the Municipal Office on the 16th day of September, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Dated at the Municipality of Huron East, J R- McLachlan, Clerk-Administrator This 27th day of August 2003. Municipality of Huron East 72 Main Street South Seaforth, ON N0K 1W0 By-Law 60-2003 proposes to stop up, close and sell an unopened road allowance in Registered Plan 208A (Cranbrook) as shown below: