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Tuesday, 13 February 2007 18:34 |
Nonbeliever seeks debate over whether God exists
I am reluctant to take on Dr. (Marc) Mullinax, as I agree with most of what he writes.
In addition, I have no idea whether he believes in God or gods and neither do I know what his ìfaithî is. I have never been impressed that having faith ó a belief in something that cannot be proven ó is something worth bragging about.
Most believers in the supernatural have never known a nonbeliever, as most nonbelievers are reluctant to share their views with dogmatic, opinionated theists.
I
would be happy to debate the existence of God with Dr. Mullinaxís most
erudite theist and allow his (Mars Hill College) philosophy-religion
students to determine the winner.
I will even buy him lunch!
John A. Henderson, M.D.
Asheville
Reader defends ëpro-lifeí
claim of anti-abortionists
After reading
(Bill Walzís) opinion column, ìRepublicans have no right to say their
party is ìpro-life,î I thought I would send you some comments of my own.
I am an
African-American female born to a 15-year-old teenager in 1966. The
stories that have been shared with me regarding advice she was given to
make the decision to end my opportunity to live is unbelievable. These
uprising ìprogressiveî thinkers were not concerned about the welfare of
this scared teenager ó there were definitely hidden motives involved
with the entire process.
Since Roe v.
Wade was made law, 10 million black babies have been aborted and
statistics reveal that over 90 percent were conducted out of
convenience. Over 90 percent and we are not even counting the numbers
of other races. Please note that those numbers could reflect the
population of a small country. This fact has helped to keep
African-Americans in minority numbers and is a direct reflection on the
shrinking social security system due to a lack of contributors. The
right to choose happens at the point when I decide whether to engage in
sexual activity, or, leave the scene. After conception, it is only the
right to life.
Planned
Parenthood was an organization that was developed through an individual
whose sole goal was to create a system of genocide. Do your research
and since you are so open to truth and progression, print your findings.
The Democratic
Party has tricked, intimidated and confused my people since slavery and
enough was enough, which is why I made the decision to get out. The
Republicans never fight for minimum wage, thank God, it is the
Democrats who continue to use that crap to pull on the emotions of the
undeserved. We are training business-developers owners, and Fortune 500
decision makers that will go back to build up the waste places.
Yes, we have
major issues in our country that need the full attention of all
Americans. But letís be real ó the downward spiral started when many of
the social programs initiated produced an entitlement mentality that
causes one not to live up to their full potential.
So, Mr. Walz,
you are accountable to teach truth to young minds on that campus. I
graduated from Shaw University, which was one of the best experiences
in my life, because we were taught how to research and find truth for
ourselves. I am now pursuing my MBA from Western Carolina University
because I am dedicated to providing the best leadership for my business
that is dedicated to training the underserved to be successful in the
corporate arena. Thatís how we destroy poverty. Teach one how to fish
so they eat for a lifetime.
Now, are you
not happy that my mother chose to stand on her spiritual foundation and
honor life that was given to her from God so I could write you these
happy thoughts? I know you are.
Selina D. Sullivan
Asheville
Review of ëPanís Labyrinthí
accused of inaccuracies
The Great God
Pan seemed to be having some sport at the expense of Jim Geraroís
review of Panís Labyrinth. In addition to the ìPage 14î reference on
the cover (the review actually appeared on page 11), the review itself
featured a few small errors.
First, the
notorious Captain Vidal does not gouge out a manís eyes ó he beats the
prisoner with a bottle, then shoots him. Secondly, Ofeliaís guide is
not the God Pan, but rather one of Panís offspring, a faun. Third, the
leg-amputation scene IS, in fact, off-camera ó ìleft,î just as Genaro
says, ìto the imagination.î The scene cuts just before the saw does.
Sure, the film is disturbing ó itís supposed to be. But perhaps the old
goat trickster was having a few more laughs than usual with the facts
in the review.
Phil ìSatyrî Brucato
Candler
ï
EDITORíS NOTE: The following is reviewer Jim Genaroís response to the above letter.
ï
Thank you for taking such an interest in my review of ìPanís Labyrinth.î
Regarding the identity of the faun in question, the issue is somewhat muddled by the differing English and Spanish titles.
The Internet
Movie Database (imdb.com) identifies the lead satyr as Pan, though it
also refers to him simply as ìthe faunî elsewhere. However, I concede
that the satyrís name was never actually said during the film and that
clearly Pan is not the only faun of folklore.
As to the
stabbing, the nefarious captain not only beat the man, but actually
stabbed him repeatedly in the face with the bottle.
My understanding
of the scene was that he had gouged out his eyes. Nonetheless, if this
was not the case, my comments about the brutality of the scene still
hold true.
Concerning the amputation, however, I must confess that I may have flinched, thus rendering my judgement questionable.
And while my
words may have been misconstrued to mean that the entire amputation
took place on film, it is my recollection that the first cut was shown
before the camera cut away. Perception, of course, can be fickle at
times (especially concerning satyrs and amputations without
anaesthesia).
Thank you again for your feedback.
JIM GENARO
Asheville Daily Planet
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