Reaction to
‘Pastoral letter’
Editor: Last week’s editor’s note stated that “we are unable to print all of (the letters).” At least one more could have been added in place of the evangelical “Pastoral letter,” which was placed at the top of the list, and was specifically stated to be for “the people of our congregations,” yet was clearly, by posting in the Tribune, meant to be a lesson for all of us. I, for one, really don’t need a lesson in morality from any denomination on Sundays, on election days, or at any time, as I have a conscience.
Last Sunday, I read to the public one of my contributions to the Healdsburg Senior Center memoir writing class in response to a prompt by our teacher Shonnie Brown to tell of an event that had a significant impact on our lives. I chose to write of my experience and reaction on 9/11/2001.
I included in that piece a question: What god is responsible for this horror? According to the pastoral letter, “God is good and reigns over all things.” No other gods are mentioned in the letter, so it must be the Christian God who reigns over “all things”; therefore, over terrible tragedies, yet is also “good.” That is a contradiction. I don’t believe in that contradiction; do you?
Maybe people of other faiths might cast blame on Christians for centuries of ill treatment at the hands of the church, but it would not be my choice.
The pastoral letter, however, leaves little doubt, which is why I find sermons in most churches to be so full of flotsam, making the nine inches of space given the local clergy by the editors so irrelevant, maybe even irreverent, on the subject of the election in contrast to the really excellent adjacent editorial by Rollie Atkinson.
Apparently, the pastors are unaware: They don’t seem to find the anti-Muslim, racist, anti-Semitic, anti-feminist rants of the Republican offering to be offensive enough to mention it.
My rather thorough study of the gospels puts Trump and his supporters in direct opposition to my understanding of the mindset of the Christ, and I find that many who swear they are Christians are just as much at odds with the teachings of their savior as Republicans are.
Jack Russell Stone, Healdsburg
Don’t equate Dylan with Trump
Editor: I agree with much of what Mr. Atkinson had to say in his editorial “Pawns at the polls.” However, I was mystified when reading his comments about Bob Dylan.
Atkinson may have meant to be ironic or sarcastic. If so, it didn’t work for me, so I will assume he was serious.
First, he has his facts wrong. I believe Dylan is 75, thus not part of the baby boomers. Trump, at 70, is barely included, and probably didn’t inhale, so he doesn’t count.
Somehow equating Dylan with Trump is outrageous (I’m not really sure what he perceives the connection is). The Donald is a complete and dangerous jerk, but Dylan is not merely a “wordy” (what does that mean?) rocker. He has just received the Nobel Prize for Literature. I understand this is controversial, but a good case can be made for his deserving it.
Dylan was always more than a singer (some would argue he wasn’t even that). His lyrics were thoughtful, insightful, challenging, topical and often prophetic and beautiful. He has been an inspiration for 50 years of songwriters, and is still quite active and relevant today.
He has reached a far greater audience than others who may have been considered for the prize.
One of the songs Atkinson references is “Mr. Jones” (not one of my favorites). Mr. Jones represents the old generation, clueless about what the youngsters are doing. What’s new or wrong about pointing that out?
Dylan is not advocating a deterioration of the society, but simply observing change. The society may have subsequently deteriorated, but not because of him.
I too do not approve of the current state of society in our country, but it’s not Dylan’s fault. It isn’t even Trump’s, who exists because of the deterioration. That has been going on for a long time before he came on the scene to exploit it.
We are to a great extent “pawns in the game.” We are unable to think for ourselves, and revere charlatans, cheats and manipulators. As Dylan says: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”
Jeffrey A. Rapp, MD, Healdsburg
Holiday events
Editor: If you’re looking for a way to do some giving for Thanksgiving, join the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg on Saturday, Nov. 12 for the sixth annual “Dancing with the Stars at the Raven” competition. Professional dancers team with local celebrities for the theater’s primary fundraising event of the year. The proceeds of this fun charity event help to cover the theater’s annual costs. Hafner Vineyards is the official wine sponsor.
The fundraiser will be held just two weeks before Thanksgiving. Tickets for the Saturday 7:30 p.m. event are $35 for general admission reserved seats and $45 for VIP center front seats. Or, if you’d rather join the Thursday, Nov. 10 preview at 7:30 p.m. the ticket costs are $20 for general admission and $10 for children under 18.
You can also go to www.raventheater.org to see the “Dancing with the Stars” teams and vote for your favorites and/or donate directly to the Raven.
Next up, follow the Raven through the winter season. Just in time for the holidays, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is playing at the Raven Performing Arts Theater from December 8-18. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. The Thursday December 15 Value Night tickets for adults and seniors are only $12.
This production is a huge crowd pleaser every year with its heartwarming, seasonal message and its twist on the classic film. Make a holiday evening of it – dine out with your loved ones in downtown Healdsburg and then walk through the charming burg to watch the show at the Raven.
The holiday season is the perfect time for giving. By supporting the Raven’s “Dancing with the Stars” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” you are giving not only to the Raven so that it can continue to provide high quality local productions, but you are also giving back to the Healdsburg and Sonoma County communities while giving yourself the gift of entertainment.
Layne Randolph, Healdsburg
