Dear HCN,
Normally, I try to
respect everyone and their opinion. I might not agree with them. I
might even feel forced to oppose them if they take action I feel is
in error. But I respect their opinions, nevertheless. But I draw
the line at the unmitigated and ridiculous arrogance of Stephen
Lyons in his essay, “God To Helen: Do I Know You?” (HCN,
9/28/98).
Mr. Lyons, it’s one thing to attack
Helen Chenoweth in print. I might not agree with you that she is
anywhere near as unethical as Clinton, but as a politician, she is
a legitimate target for editorial. But it’s a step too far when you
bring God into your criticism. Worse yet, you have assumed the very
VOICE of God in your commentary. In short, you have assumed the
role of God. This is a direct insult to every Christian everywhere,
since “thou art but a man,” and are singularly unqualified to speak
for God. Helen’s statement merely indicated that she was at peace
with her God. That is for each individual to decide for themselves.
Your statements mock the very concept of divine judgement. You spit
on the foundation of Christian morality.
Your
claim that God is an environmentalist might well be true, since
reasonable concern over the environment is only logical. However,
since you have foolishly brought God into the picture, let me
remind you that the Bible states that man was given dominion over
all the earth and its creatures. This in no way supports the
run-away agenda of modern “environmentalists.” If there is a God,
he must have smiled down at the early environmentalists, who sought
to stop the unparalleled environmental destruction brought on by
the industrial age. But he is surely no friend to those, such as
Earth First!, who preach their anti-human rhetoric, and inflict
mayhem and injury in the name of “saving the planet.” Dave Foreman,
founder of Earth First!, made clear the direction of such thinking
when he said, “If all mankind were to vanish from the face of the
earth, then I, for one, would not shed a tear.”
I find I cannot, in good conscience, respect
either you OR your opinion, Mr. Lyons. The reason is simple: you
have no respect for anyone or anything. It’s obvious from your
essay. No one with any amount of empathy or respect for others
would have written such a twisted parody of a religious essay. I
am, frankly, shocked that an otherwise respectable publication such
as the High Country News would even print it. I might not agree
with what they have to say, but once again, I can respect their
beliefs. You, on the other hand, deserve nothing but my disgust.
And that you may have in
abundance.
Michael
Patty
Pocatello,
Idaho
Michael Patty is the
editor of BlueRibbon magazine, 1540 North Arthur, Pocatello, ID
83204.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Essayist Steve Lyons goes too far.
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