[Received and posted 5-1-02] 

I find it most interesting that the Layman can, with every issue, make all sorts of accusations, but when those of the opposite side dare to do so they immediately slammed for making such comments. If the Layman hadn't persisted in the legalistic approach and the continuous negative thrust we would not have to make the responses that are made. However, I do not believe this will ever happen for The Layman thrives on controversy. Without it they would be silent.

I understand the desire to cut the costs of litigation but I do believe that the Confessing Church movement is also in violation of the Book of Order. At no time are we ever asked to subscribe to those three statements but rather to the Confessions of the Church. Perhaps it is time to resist those on the opposite with some of their own tactics and possibly they will begin to see the damage and harm that is being done to people of this church. Somewhere this legalistic, oppressive behavior has to stop. I find nothing in The Layman that would motivate me to be a more loving, caring minister. I find nothing but anger and hate. It must stop.

John Dean,. Interim Pastor, The First and Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware

Dear Doug,

I would like to respond to Rev. John Harris' note where he worries about an impending "witch hunt." I can understand how he might be fearful, but I believe he might be a bit overanxious. Unless there are others about which I am unaware, currently about ten lawsuits have been filed by a solitary man in Virginia named Paul Rolf Jensen. Each of these will be a tedious, uphill battle and are far from being settled. We can only wait and see about what discipline may be handed to Mt. Auburn PC in Cincinnati or to the Presbytery of the Redwoods and Katie Morrison as part of a perceived witch hunt, but I certainly don't see anyone picking up stones or drawing blood.

Despite the fact that Amendment A was roundly defeated in the presbyteries, ordination of LGBT individuals has been and will apparently continue to be carried out with disregard for G-6.0106b. On the other hand, there are two "conservative" churches which have been dealt with quite severely in recent actions: the Norcrest PC in Ohio (its property was seized because it requested to be released to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church) and the FPC of Sebastian, Florida (it was ordered to publicly renounce its confession). While those on the left may feel as though they are being driven out, those on the right are demonstrably being forced to stay and conform.

Whether his fears are justified or not, Rev. Harris' harsh and speculative accusations contradict the essence of the Call to Civility, which he signed if he's the person listed therein as John E. Harris, Pastor of Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church, Bunker Hill, WV.

Ken Boyer 
Pittsburgh, PA

Dear Webweaver:

On your website, John Harris discusses the judicial cases being filed against persons who are publicly flouting the constitution of the PC(USA). Based on these actions, Mr. Harris states, in part: "I now fear that anyone who does not toe the Presbyterian Layman and Confessing Church Movement line will be targeted for disciplinary action. If anyone simply says the wrong words, makes the wrong gestures, signs the wrong statement, or fails to sign the right statement, fails to make the right gestures, fails to say the right words; they will be targeted next."

Mr. Harris certainly seems paranoid! What must he think evangelicals are like? Something scary, evidently.

To see how paranoid his ideas are, imagine this scenario:

1. Several mayors or police chiefs around the country announce publicly that they will not abide by the U.S. Constitution in the matter of racial equality, because they disagree with that part of it. 

2. Citizen X takes these mayors and police chiefs to court to force them to abide by ALL of the constitution. (I don't know if this is actually legally possible, but imagine it is.)

Should someone like Mr. Harris respond that this situation makes him fear that everyone who does not toe the line with Al Sharpton, in every minute detail, will be subject to fines or deportation? Of course not! In fact, Citizen X's actions would be quite reasonable.

I suggest that Mr. Harris and others like him should be more reasonable themselves. Their fear is blinding them to the reasonableness of those with whom they disagree theologically.

Deborah Milam Berkley
Member, 1st Pres. Bellevue (WA)

Dear Editor -

Mr. Harris' concern is quite overstated from two standpoints. First, many of the individuals who supported Amendment A were quite willing to portray themselves as 'prophets.' They were quite willing to urge others to take a defiant stand against the Constitution as an expression of their self-appointed status as 'prophets.' For Mr. Harris to now complain that this 'prophetic defiance' is being met with 'constitutional authority' seems hollow.

Second, there is an inherent paternalism in Mr. Harris remarks. Many who supported Amendment A tried to cloak themselves in a mantle of having either superior knowledge about what is best for the church or superior status as a 'former Moderator' of the church. In either case, their attitude appeared to many to be one of 'we know what is best for the rest of you (because we have special knowledge or superior status)' This is paternalism. Paternalism is always well-intentioned. But paternalism typically dismisses the values, sentiments and abilities of those it targets.

Amendment A simply reinforced the existing constitution that in itself affirms the traditional understanding of Christian marriage and chastity. Those who cannot in good conscience support this traditional view, and the constitution that contains the traditional viewpoint, have to make some decisions. They will be difficult decisions - for all of us.

Donald D. Denton, Jr., D.Min., LPC, LMFT

Editor,

John Harris in his letter makes a number of assertions that should be challenged. I am a layman, but have been a member of the PC(USA) for more than 35 years - long enough to have been a Presbyterian before the merger. I have also been a member of the Presbyterian Church long enough to have seen the Church move from a moderately conservative stance to one in which the General Assembly officers and the General Assembly has embraced the ultra-Liberal, socialistic doctrines to include militant feminism which seems to think it proper to pray to the goddess Sophia.