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Church is part of community, not a threat to it

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 17, 2006

Re: Minister's frustration about Jays Day shows a religious arrogance, letter by Steve Azadian, March 9.

In the past 12 months, we "freeloaders" at St. Mark Lutheran Church of Dunedin have:

Contributed more than 400 bags of groceries and hundreds of dollars to local food pantries.

Volunteered every weekday for a Dunedin Meals on Wheels route.

Dressed and donated 75 teddy bears for poor children through the Salvation Army.

Provided up to 10 volunteers each month for Habitat for Humanity, as well as providing free office space and construction costs of $6,000.

Provided free meeting space to Girl Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, public schools and homeowners associations.

Donated and assembled hundreds of layettes for babies born in poverty.

Contributed thousands of dollars to disaster relief in our state, nation and world.

Given hundreds of dollars of Christmas gifts and an annual party for children in local domestic abuse shelters.

Provided a polling place for several voting precincts.

Offered consolation and companionship to the elderly.

Provided meaningful opportunities for fellowship, education and personal growth for young people.

Offered counseling, funerals, weddings and other services, not only for members, but for those in the community.

Encouraged and supported member participation in service in the community and world.

And, most important, have shared the free grace of God as we have been given the ability. We do not believe in a theocracy, but common courtesy and community life in a small town dictate a certain level of cooperation between various entities, including churches.

Although some of us are Republicans, some of us are Democrats and independents. We do not worship any political party or social policy, but work together for the good of all.

Please remember that not all Christians are extremists; we are your neighbors, your friends, and your fellow citizens. It is in working together, not in casting aspersions, that we can make our community a better place for all of its citizens.

Come and join us sometime. You'll see that we aren't the threat to society Steve Azadian imagines.

Let's not forget this country was founded on biblical values

Re: Minister's frustration about Jays Day shows a religious arrogance, letter by Steve Azadian, March 9.

In answer to Steve Azadian's letter, I would ask: What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if the Jays had a weekly event, and the church, without consideration, scheduled a Church Day?

I was appalled to read his comments on "narrow-focus church services" and "the religious hijacking of American values and rights." This country was based on the church's values.

And another thing, I don't know about the Dunedin church, but our church pays to have police direct traffic after each service.

Do we have to get to the point where there are mass human rights invasions as there were in Iraq before you appreciate existing American values that are based on the Ten Commandments?

Fining performers for using vulgar language is *#$*@%

 

Ah, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me. Remember? Well, in Clearwater, words may not harm, but one will cost an emcee if he publicly says it during a concert.

When he learned that his use of the f-word will cost the promoters $2,500 each time, we can easily guess what he must have said. Begins with the letter F.

I would agree with him.

Not that I approve of his use of that singularly nasty word. I just don't believe we should or can legislate good taste by fining for bad manners, which includes crude, vulgar language. That's outrageous in concept. It was not surprising that an emcee, particularly one in this wild and crazy environment, would feel unrestrained. It was surprising though, that the promoter agreed to the fine. Undoubtedly, they see the big picture of big bucks even after possible big fine.

Clearwater's parks and recreation director was smart enough to hold the promoter rather than the emcee responsible and subject to the fine in the future to circumvent the possible First Amendment violation. Give him credit for that. But I suspect he, too, was probably looking at big picture, big bucks even after big fine.

Fining performers for their vulgar language is ridiculous. Please. But firing the concert (canceling the contract) for a substantial number of complaints from paying customers or neighbors within earshot for ANY acceptable reason, including foul language, makes more sense and is more justifiable.

What I find more offensive than that word, however, is the loud *#$@% music and the stupid *#$*@% lyrics.

[Last modified March 17, 2006, 12:09:48]