CURRENTS
After reading "Upstream," by Leslie N. Pollard (August, 2002) a sense of deep shame washed over my entire being. Shame? Yes, and embarrassment, for the institution I love. The column revealed a complete lack of understanding about what homosexuals actually face.

Has the author of this column ever sat down with a gay or lesbian person and listened to his/her intense pain? If not, I invite him to do so; he may discover that no-one ever intentionally chooses such an agonizing and lonely journey.

If Jesus would not crush a bruised reed, He surely would not hurt any of them, especially in public. Many of our homosexual friends and relatives need to be affirmed as the children of God they truly are, just so they can survive emotionally and spiritually.

I long for the day when our church shows a Christlike spirit toward homosexuals, instead of blatant discrimination.

Bronwen F. Larson
Loma Linda, California

If anything raises my ire, it is the ignorance and prejudiced treatment of certain groups. I felt betrayed and embarrassed when I read Leslie N. Pollard's column. That he represented his attitude to a professional group put me past my boiling point.

Loma Linda University does indeed hire both those who are not Adventist and those who are lesbian and gay. If they did not, I believe they would be breaking the law--civil law and the law of God's people.

I lived "next door" to one of our hospitals and near another for well more than 50 years. They hired people from both groups castigated by Pollard. I believe all of our medical institutions here in the United States do likewise.

M. Virginia Reynolds
Carmichael, California

FADS AND FANATICS
I'm really grateful for the article, "A baby, A Vitamin and A Choice" (Sept. 12, 2002). It was quite enlightening and well-written. Many thanks to all the contributors.

Sylvia L. Mitchell

SPECIAL PEOPLE, SPECIAL OUTREACH
Before heading for work this morning, I picked up the Review and read William Johnsson's editorial, "Special People, Special Prayers" (Aug. 22, 2002). My mind went to a recent news item relating to Canadians who lost loved ones in the September 11 tradgedy, and how they felt left out of the various programs for the families left behind. Can you please tell me if any Canadian families (for that matter, any country other than the United States) is included in this project?

The wife of one of the copilots is a former member of our Adventist church here in Hamilton, Ontario. Her family still resides here.

I know that in the media and by politicians this has been portrayed as very much an attack against the United States, and I wouldn't want to belittle its grief. However, such senseless acts have no borders; we all felt it. As we approach 9-11-2002, I pray that our reaching out to these special people will include them all.

May God's hand be upon this special project and those who prepare the issues of the Adventist Review for them.

Sharon Okimi
Smithville, Ontario

All of the known Adventist victims of last year's terrorist attacks are listed in the September, 2002, North American Division edition. –Editors

Thank you for reaching out to "Special People." I pray for your success. The statement: "Many people are looking for a place to belong, not a set of beliefs," is true. However, Ellen White wrote Adventists that many others "are looking wistfully to heaven" for a set of beliefs, answers to dark questions of death, dying, and how to face the future with hope.

A warm, caring place is important but any club or tavern offers that. In addition to that, Adventists have eternal life to offer through a set of beliefs that God has given them. True love for others compels us to share this truth regardless of the rejection or ridicule we might receive. Jesus was crucified for sharing the truth. Ellen White wrote: "God gave his only begotten Son to save sinners, and he desires us to love others as he loved us. He desires those who have a knowledge of the truth to impart this knowledge to their fellow men. . . . Now is the time for the last warning to be given. There is a special power in the presentation of truth at the present time" (Southern Watchman, Nov. 5, 1907, par. 4-5).

Mrs. White also wrote: "All over the world, men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the very verge of the kingdom, waiting to be gathered in. These demand the service of those to whom God has entrusted his truth" (Review and Herald, Aug. 5, 1902, par. 2).

May God help us hasten the coming of Jesus by accepting this instruction and joining with other active workers in heralding God's last call to the world.

Edward Graves
Lake Elsinore, California

REMARRIAGE
Thanks for the article "The Divorce and Remarriage Challenge," by Bruce Manners (Aug. 22, 2002). I thought he did a fine job explaining the church's current policy on divorce and remarriage.

I realize that if I get remarried, I will lose my church membership. I love my church. I don't want to be disfellowshiped. But I divorced because I could no longer ignore my former husband's hand prints on my two year-old's face. Nor could I stand for my children to see me thrown up against the wall, choked or hit for my "bad behavior."

The church's stand on remarriage means that I cannot remarry and model a healthy, Christian marriage for my children. It means that I have to work full time to afford their Christian education ($982/month on my single income). It means I cannot have a life partner and will spend the next 40 years unaccompanied. It means I will raise my children alone. If I should choose to remarry, I will lose my 28-year membership in the Adventist church.

Thankfully, I will not lose my love of God, my ability to share His love, my volunteer work with transient, homeless people, my desire to give a faithful tithe, my work with the youth group, my chosen career in service to others, my ability to teach my children to follow Him, or my hope in eternal life. Somehow, membership doesn't seem so important.

Please withhold my name if you decide to print this. The Adventist world is small and my former husband worked for the General Conference. Thanks for a great magazine.

Name Withheld

I was delighted to read Manuela Casti's response to the article on Divorce and Remarriage. I have long felt our church has too narrow of a response to divorce.

Adultery in the strictest sense of the word seems to mean being unfaithful to your spouse by having an extra-marital affair. I prefer to think of it in the broader sense of breaking the marriage vow. This can happen when one spouse refuses to be a spouse, puts children above the marriage itself, chooses not to make the marriage work, or sexually molests the children (yes, this occurs even in Adventist homes). These things all break the marriage relationship fully as much as having an affair. In a sense these items are like "affairs."

Oh, I'm not divorced. My husband has been, as has a close relative.

Sue Walley
Lake Stevens, Washington

ALL TORN UP
The August 15, 2002, Cutting Edge issue of the Adventist Review got torn apart. Why? Because of two great articles.

Kudos to the Review for the courage to print "Theater of the Mind," by Randy Fishell. It was so good my wife, who teaches in our Seventh-day Adventist school, plans to share this article with her Bible class.

Also, "Keeping in Balance," by David Kennedy was another tremendous article that every member of our church should read. The God we serve is an all powerful, majestic, holy God who loves us with an everlasting love. He is not, as Kennedy put it so nicely, a "cosmic pushover."

Both of these articles are sensational and are now in my reference files.

John Loor, Jr.
Bozeman, Montana

I was saddened by David L. Kennedy's attempts to keep God from being seen as a "cosmic pushover." The not-so-subtle implication is that God needs to be careful who He lets into His kingdom of eternal fellowship. Who knows what might happen? Why, God might admit thieves (thief on the cross), murderers (David), and prostitutes (Mary).

Trouble is, that's exactly who God seems to call His friends! Perhaps then, what God really wants is people with changed hearts. That much seems apparent from the Bible.

How does a good dose of "fear," power, and fright cause a changed heart? Does thinking God will kill me if I don't acquire that "right heart" help me in the least? Is there any biblical evidence to support the idea that those fearful of, or frightened by God's displays of power and might were led to the "right heart" He wants?

It seems that answer is no. Very soon after the flood or Sinai, for example, people still rebelled against God.

What does cause repentance then? The kindness and goodness of God (Rom. 2:4). If that makes God a "cosmic pushover"--so be it.

To be sure, there are terrible consequences for rejecting God: what are they?

The cross provides the answer. In dying the death of the sinner, Christ demonstrated that separation from God, the Giver of life, results in death. Yes, sin kills. But not at God's hand. What a shame that in the quest for "balance," God's character is sullied.

Bob Rigsby
Altamonte Springs, Florida

KIDSVIEW
My church hosts a website with a children's ministries web page, including many links to various Adventist links. I would very much like to include the KidsView link. I am thrilled to see the Adventist Review addressing the needs of our "target age" baptism group.

Even if they are not the ones reached, we can be assured that when families feel that the church is interested and willing to invest in their children, we have captured their attention.

My appreciation for your attention to His children!

Victoria D. Harrison