Friday, February 15, 2008

Steve on the Anglicans

Getting tired of this, David? Me too.

How I wish (and all Anglicans wish) we could just live and let live. Move on, let it go.

Up until Michael Ingham started this whole thing, that's exactly what Anglicans were doing. No Anglican was, say, walking into a United church and shutting it down because they were performing gay marriages. No gays were turned away at the door of any church. No one was protesting. There weren't even any pamphlets. Peaceful coexistence was the watchword.

But then Ingham decides, against church history and authority, that when it comes to a conflict between his opinions and church authority and even the Bible, he's right and everyone else is wrong. The whole church district must start performing a ritual against their will. Arrogant? You bet.

And he brought down the fight. He started bullyboy tactics. And most Anglican churches bowed under, but a few said, no, we should have the right to believe what the church has always believed, and not be forced by some middle-management clergy to believe something else.

And Ingham threatened, and bullied, and waged war in the media.Whatever. He can say what he likes. But then all the peace-loving, community-supporting, faithful Anglicans catch the blame, and are painted as being intolerant. When, by any standard, the intolerant, bullying one is Ingham.

A family Foto for The Ages


We are not Alone


To the Editor

Re: Paying volunteers is stupid and demeaning - SUN - Daphne Bramham


Just when we think this regime can't get any worse....it does.There seems to be money spilling out of the government pockets at the whimof the Premier, and yet there is still no financial relief for all of us -the demolished small businesses all along the RAV/Canada Line route - whohave been forced to 'volunteer' our livelihoods over the past 2 years, andwho face financial ruin as a result.The money to do the right thing is available, and instead of doing the rightthing, The Liberals have chosen to willfully ignore the plight of hundredsof small business people.This shameful neglect is an Olympic abuse of power, and demonstrates howunder valued small independant businesses and average citizens are to theLiberal master plan.


Susan Heyes3190 Cambie StreetVancouver604 687-0721

Treatment Works

This may be the best piece ever written about addictions the Vancouver Sun has ever published.

It is clear, knowledgable, hopeful and bang on.

The author is Douglas Coleman a local doctor who treats addicts.

Highlights:

- In spite of free needles, Hep C and HIV rates have skyrocketed.

- Addictions respond to treatments, including residential treatment, prolonged periods resident in support revoery facilities and 12-step programs.

- Absitinence is critical.

- Coercive treatment can be effective.

Of course, all of this flies in the face of the woefully misinformed, like Larry Campbell and Sam Sullivan.

He is a doctor and he works this territory. Read it and read it again.

Ignorance Rules


An indicator of how little understanding of the issue is "out there," is this headline on page A4 of this morning's Sun:


"Some people can't even make or keep appointments."


This about mentally ill and addicted people.


Wow! Amazing!


If you didn't know that about addcits and people with mental illness, you don't even know the first thing about these issues.


Everybody's got an opinion.


Few, including politicians and so-called opinion makers, have the foggiest about the basics.


No wonder things are getting worse instead of better.

More Thoughts About The Anglica Rift

Money, property, gays.

Apparently a potent mix.

Sevveral people ahve written to say what it is often said.

"I have gay friends. I sit next to them. But..."

The Lord said, the bible says...

This is tragic.

How about everybody takes a pill.

You don't have to sanction gay marriages in your parish if you don't want to. You don't have to attend the wedding.

The principle remains. Do unto others. Live and let live. Forget it. Move on. Let go.

"Guns don't kill people" Tell me another one...


People are asking the useless question, "WHY?" after sic people are shot and killed in the latest "St. Valentine's Day Massacre."


THis one took place at Northern Illinois U.


Why?


BECAUSE HE HAD A GUN.