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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1986)
"Christian" defends Shadburne letter To the Editor, ‘Just Out’, I would like to offer a personal response to your editorial of recent date, Vol. 3 No. 3, concerning what you have alleged is a hate’ campaign by Commissioner Shadburne. I hope to be balanced but firm, gentle but direct, regarding some of the points you have made in your column. It is an unfortunate reality in the world to day, that we have nearly destroyed the origi nal meaning of the title Christian.' Thus, there is a dichotomy in the Body of Christ, that divides the organism and renders it vulner able to subtle malevolent attack. In response to that attack, fundamentalist & evangelical Christians such as Commissioner Shadburne and myself, strike back in frustration and weariness, without clear loving thoughtful ness, against an onrushing tide of Humanism and Mysticism. Let me establish the simplest definition of a Christian. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, The King of Kings & Lord of Lords. Discipleship to Jesus demands obedience to the disciplines He taught and commanded, and makes provision for petition, forgiveness, deliverance, and healing. As recorded in the Gospels, Jesus appointed twelve disciples, to found, build, teach, and discipline His Church. Each was given the authority of Jesus to minister to the Church, the Bride of Christ The New Testament Canon is made up of the writings of some of these men, who are known as the Apostles of Christ Other disci plines of Christ contributed also to these writ ings. All are agreed to have been directly inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Christians are clearly enjoined to study these writings, embrace their spirit, and live by their ordinances. What a Christian is not supposed to be is a milquetoast, put upon, weakly tolerant indi vidual, which is the common image of the Christian today. Christians also are not to be self righteous, proud, worldly, judgemental, or boastful. Christians are required by Christ to speak the word of truth plainly, clearly, gently, and uncompromisedly. Continually present in their mind and heart, should be the grateful remembrance, and the humble knowledge, that by no worthiness of them selves, but the great love of God, has called and elected them to a saving by Grace through Faith. It is not of ourselves, lest we boast but a true gift of God. There are those who claim the Holy Scrip tures I will cite, are improperly translated, and do not mean what they are commonly thought to say. However, no one of real scho larship, can legitimately or effectively deny these two facts. Modem Greek as a language is not very much different from Classical Greek, and neither are difficult to translate for the trained linguist The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ro mans warns and takes a clear stand against the practice of homosexuality (Believe me, in my heart of hearts, I am trying to be gentle and loving). Paul reiterates this clearly in his letter to the Corinthians. The references are Romans 1:24-27 & 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Insofar as Commissioner Shadburne refers to the stronghold of Satan,’ he is per haps being blunt, but I don’t believe it was his intent to hurt, but to emphasize that, Jesus taught the existence of a real Satanic person ality, with legions of demonic beings at his command, and anytime Satan can deceive people into drug addiction, alcoholism, materialism, humanism, and yes, homosex uality, they are broken heartedly, in the strong hold of Satan. Christians too are attacked and can be temporarily deceived by this clever liar, for Satan hates all mankind and desires their destruction, Christians particularly for they usually recognize him and are in desperate battle against him with the weapons of prayer, fasting, Chrstian love and Faith, and the Word of God. Regarding Homosexuals Anonymous, I have heard of this organization, which if I am not mistaken was founded by a former homosex ual. It is not strictly nor specifically Christian in character, but as Commissioner Shadburne noted, it does have some Christian support As an advocate for freedom, you could not honestly oppose such a group if there is a desire within the community by individuals who are troubled, or have doubts, or desire to re-polarize their sexuality in order to return to the straight community. Finally, I do not think Commissioner Shad burne is involved in a hate campaign. I be lieve he has a true concern for the spiritual well being of the people he is called to repre sent All the people. Today we live in a very troubled world, you and I are trying to nurture a little bit of that world, yet we differ greatly in our response. Those of us called Christians, the Commissioner, and thousands of others in this community are tentatively trying to reach out in Christian love, character, and ministry, as defined by the Bible, and however awkwardly light the path of salvation to those who are in darkness and spiritual bondage. We aren’t perfect we haven’t 'made it,’ we fall, and stumble along the way. But we have dis covered the true ligh t Jesus Christ, and his discipline. We truly do want to share it with you, and anyone with an open heart and suf fering spirit Please, get a bible, study it, be open to it, it will amaze you. I would like for you to respond to this letter, whatever your reaction. In a pluralistic society, differing philosophies must interact or society breaks down. I am trying to keep the lines of communication open, in hope. And I can love deeply, but I cannot compromise the Word of God. Edward J. Borges-Sila The editor replies: Com missioner Shadburne s letter was entirely inappropriate: he did write and dis seminate the message on official Multnomah County stationary. He probetbly duplicated and m ailed it at public expense, too. And Commissioner Shadburne was directing an attack at the lesbian and gay community, a significant segment of the public. Commissioner Shadbume's attack on the gay and lesbian community is a classic case of internalized homophobia. One can safely eissume that Shadburne s feelings of guilt and internalized homophobia were the direct result of the So-called “teaching cited in Mr. Borges-Silua “s letter to me. Mr. Borges-Silua s argum ents are redun dant. He is merely parroting political propaganda. He has the right to believe anything he likes, but he does not have the right to force his beliefs on anyone else. Throughout history hum ans have used religious beliefs to wage w ar against hereti cal thought. Religious beliefs have, unfor tunately. blurred into nationalistic fanati cism for which we witness the eternal conflicts between Moslems and Christians in the Levant, between Catholics and Pro testants in Ulster, between Sikhs and Hindus in India, etc., etc., etc. Commissioner Shadbum e 's attack on the gay and lesbian community is another m anifestation of those religious wars. If Shadburne, a self-styled “Christian " is really concerned about the “spiritual well- being" of lesbians and gays he would ac cept us as we are, not as he would wish us tobe. Pro-Choice rally outstanding On Friday evening, January 24, Commun ity Clinic Defense Coalition (CCDC), held a tremendously successful rally for abortion rights at Portland State. Nearly 200 pro- choice people entered the event; they had the opportunity to express a powerful solidarity and to hear several moving and dynamic speakers. Unfortunately, another 200 people — over 2 /3 of whom were pro-choice — were turned away at the door because the room was full. We sincerely regret underestimating the turn out, and will certainly not do so again in the future. However, it was a great boost for our movement in Oregon to see so many people make the special effort to show their support by attending. We particularly want thank those who stayed throughout their rally with out being able to enter; your presence was felt and appreciated by all those inside. Many pro-choice rallies in the past have not been so well attended as this one. We realize that the local mobilization of anti abortion groups, as well as recent and dramatic escalation of violence against clin ics in Oregon, have given a great sense of urgency to many of our supporters. These very factors both swelled the rally turnout and created a need for tight security to ensure the safety of those attending, and to minimize disruption. While the PSU location offered many ad vantages for public access, it also created a number of security constraints. We were pre vented by campus security from opening into additional seating in the PSU Ballroom, and the Portland police would not permit us to talk with supporters outside to explain the situation. Nor would the police allow the rally to be broadcast in the hallway on speakers. Despite extensive security meetings prior to the rally, the huge turnout forced these last minute and undesirable decisions. Needless to say, they will affect our planning and loca tion of future events to prevent any recurrence. People who were unable to attend the rally will have a chance to view excerpts from the rally in a show that will be aired on Portland Cable Access in the spring. Once again, we thank the com m unity for its support, and look forward to even more successful events in the future. In Solidarity, Leila Whittemore Jewel Murphy Co-Chairs Community Clinic Defense Coalition (CCDC) MRG affirms Pro-choice position To the Editor: We were pleased to see Billy Russo’s com prehensive article on the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation’s funding process in your February issue. It was helpful in our outreach to (1) lesbian/gay groups in Ore gon that we hope will contact MRG about funding their social change work and (2) indi viduals who want to support these groups and our other grantees with financial con tributions to our fundraising foundation. We would like to clarify one aspect of the article: “anti-choice” was listed among the issues represented by our grantee finalists during our presentation day. MRG has always supported and funded feminist issues, including pro-choice work. The group to which anti-choice applied was among our finalists because of its primary identity as a nuclear disarmament organization; its repre sentative at our presentation day, however, was an outspoken advocate of “ abortion-free zones." Because that spokesperson, as Billy points out, could not successfully downplay his group's anti-choice affiliation, they were not funded. That group would not have made it into MRG’s finalist’s list had we previously known about its anti-choice connection. Thanks again for the opportunity to get the word out about MRG. Sincerely, Linda Reymers, MRG Staff LAUGHING HORSE BOOKS & COFFEE U%NC u » » I ATIM l U L D i r . ___________ LATIN AMERICA • __________ SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN'S ISSUES • NATIVE AMERICAN • BLACK STUDIES • ART & POLITICS • FICTION • POETRY • LABOR • ENVIRONMENT • PEACE • GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES /V. OPEN EVENINGS Collectively run We buy books. 1322 W. 23rd, Portland, Oregon 227-5440 Tues-Sat 11 am-9pm Sun 12noon-5 4 Just Out. March 1986