The Readers' Forum: Friday letters

The writer of the May 22 letter "Such a threat," who favored gay marriage and quoted Deut. 21:18-21 ("the rebellious son must be stoned to death … to purge evil from among you"), misunderstood those verses, which treat disobedience (sin) so seriously. The picture in Deuteronomy is in perfect union with the consequences (death) of all sin (disobedience) in the eyes of God. He offers the only plan to make us right with Him by offering Jesus to pay our sin debt. Our response to God will be to believe or reject the gift of the cross. Through Jesus, we gain a relationship with God.

The tragically sincere people pushing for the gay-marriage law are saying to God, "We know what we need. We deserve to be accepted like everyone else. It is our right." They have believed the lie that says, "You'll get acceptance, peace, opportunities that you've been denied, and most of all, you'll feel loved." God already loves them, but they are rejecting Him.

If people were permitted to see God's face today, all doubt would be removed with a sorrowful faithless glimpse.

If they could see Satan's face, he would smoothly tell them to be tolerant, pursue happiness and gain all that is possible for yourself in this world.

I hope they will not set their sights on these temporary, unobtainable goals. I hope they will reach out for God and learn His heart. He offers real peace, joy and blessings for our obedience.

CHRIS DAVIS

Winston-Salem

In reference to "Canine SEAL boosts war dog adoptions" (May 25), hooray for all military dogs. With all the training they have had, they should make excellent family members.

CHRISTINE GALLAHER

Winston-Salem

The writer of the letter "Seeing Israel in context" (May 24) continues to perpetuate the myth that "Israel was created by expelling hundreds of thousands of Christian and Muslim men, women and children from their homes," a myth composed for self-serving political purposes by Israel's Arab enemies and repeated with regularity by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The writer does add a new twist with the addition of Christians (whose presence was minor) in the mix of those "expelled" in an apparent attempt to gain broader sympathy for the cause he embellishes.

The state of Israel was created in 1947 through a peaceful, legal process by the United Nations. At the same time the U.N. created an Arab state, but the Muslims rejected theirs, and instead the rulers of the surrounding Arab countries quickly chose to use military aggression against the new country in an attempt to annihilate its Jewish inhabitants, an aggression that continues to the present day.

Approximately 700,000 Arabs fled from the newly created country and became the refugees who are now the alleged victims of Jewish atrocity. But an investigation of the documented facts makes it clear that almost all of these refugees left of their own volition in order to escape the Arab invasion and subsequent continuing military actions. Israel not only did not force them out, but when a measure of peace was restored after their victory, it even passed a law encouraging Arab refuges to resettle if they would swear allegiance to Israel.

RICHARD CHASE

Pfafftown

A standing ovation to the Journal for its continuing superlative arts coverage! Having lived and performed in many cities throughout the world, I have seen how the major dailies of Europe and Asia treat the arts: as a valued part of the everyday culture. In the States, unfortunately, that is not the overriding case (except for a few exceptions, such as The New York Times and Los Angeles Times). The arts are often the first part of the newspaper budget to be sacrificed in these challenging economic times. That actually is counterintuitive, since the arts have proved to be a critical driver of business and industry.

While the Journal has had to tighten its belt, as we all have, it has continued to bring us the news and information that makes Winston-Salem "The City of Arts and Innovation." I do not know of another newspaper in America that would have placed a preview of a major production by the state's arts conservatory on its front page. The total of column inches that the Journal devoted to our recent production of "Oklahoma!" was truly remarkable. Not only that, but your ongoing coverage of our regular performances and activities, as well as those of other local arts organizations, has been exceptional.

We are indeed fortunate to live in a city where the "hometown newspaper" holds the same values as its citizens.

Continued success.

JOHN MAUCERI

CHANCELLOR, UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Winston-Salem