Readers Respond -- Poetry debate goes on

I recently saw the article at the top of the front page of the Daily

Pilot, “Christian poet challenges senior center,” (Jan. 6) and was

disturbed by it.

This article particularly disturbed me because I feel strongly about

the policy of not including religious material in public activities.

I can only assume, from the placement of the article, that you do not

share my feelings.

Aviva Goelman has recently taken over the difficult position of

executive director of the senior center and has done a magnificent job of

organization.

I want to assure you that her hard work has improved the operation of

the senior center, while maintaining equal opportunities for all

concerned.

DANIEL S. DICKINSON

Coordinator

Senior Computer Learning Center

Costa Mesa

The Daily Pilot article “Christian poet challenges senior center” is

just one more example of a sad trend we witness in too many people today.

They are needlessly afraid of anything labeled “Christian.”

Well-meaning, but what I would consider rather paranoid, people rejected

87-year-old Mabel Knowles’ Christian poetry from appearing in the

center’s newsletter because someone complained (remind you of the lights

a school board member ordered removed during Christmas from Mariners

school?).

But these same people have absolutely no empathy for Knowles, whom

they devastated, nor consideration of the majority of senior citizens who

had enjoyed reading the poetry for the past five years.

Apparently, it is OK to offend Christians, but pity the person who

denies any other group an opportunity for expression because ACLU lawyers

would be calling and complaining of discrimination, racism, etc., etc.

It is time we, as a society, begin to understand tolerance must be

applied to everyone, or it is valueless.

Certainly, allowing a Christian poem in a newsletter should not be

construed as a restriction on anyone’s freedom of religion. At least not

to any reasonably open-minded person.

LINDA SANCHEZ

Costa Mesa