Disagreement is not hate
Dear Editor:
RE: Local company receives threats, harassment over planned drag show, Jan. 19.
I’m surprised that Marty Van Vliet assumed that the “hateful” posts were from far right Christians and conservatives when the posts are opposite of the Christian message.
Why does he blame local people if the messages are from the States? Are the members of the LGBT community who identify as Christian and conservative also included in this accusation?
He puts down the people of Canada for (as he puts it) having a “strong religious right.” Canada and Elora were founded on Christian principles and there are many people who would call this hurtful and unwarranted.
I know people who identify as gay who are opposed to drag shows, LGBT advertising, pride parades, etc. They just want to live their lives without all the attention.
Van Vliet seems to commit to protecting children by stressing that the drag shows are not sexual and that no children have attended past shows. Perhaps future shows can be age of majority only, in order to continue protecting children.
Finally, disagreement in beliefs does not equal hate. It’s important to be aware of one’s anger in reaction to these posts because anger can turn into hate and then one commits the same crime that others are called out for.
Carol O’Neil,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: Not all the messages received by the business were from the U.S. Most were from Canada, including the local area (one caller was from the Mount Forest area). The article mentions only far-right Christians and conservatives.
Newspaper ‘biased’
Dear Editor:
Over the last number of years I have noticed that the Wellington Advertiser is often very biased when relating issues within the community.
For example, the Advertiser often heavily shamed anyone who made the choice not to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Rather than “chasing down” both sides they did what was easiest: follow the masses and pretend that shaming and denying the unvaccinated their Charter rights was “educating them.”
The latest bias is against Christians. The front page story of Jan. 19 (Local company receives threats, harassment over planned drag show) included Mr. Van Vliet’s opinion that the anonymous messages he received were from Christians. Exactly how does anonymous and Christian go hand in hand?
There are many people – Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Agnostic, Atheist, etc. – who are concerned about drag shows and the damage they can do to children. For someone to mention this they do not have to be Christian.
I don’t have that particular paper anymore and I can’t recall what all the comments were. There were some comments however that were not written by someone who tries to live a Christ-like life. In other words, if they call themselves a Christian (and again we don’t know as it was anonymous) then they may want to study what Christ has to say about the sanctity of human life and how God hates a murderer.
The article also states police take hate crime very seriously. Hate crime should be taken seriously. In light of the seriousness of hate crime, how is it that Mr. Van Vliet and the newspaper (which could have omitted Mr. Van Vliet’s opinion) were allowed to spread this message of hate against Christians and not be held accountable?
Catharina DeWitt,
Arthur
*Editor’s note: COVID-19 vaccines, associated mandates and the coverage of those topics in this newspaper did not violate “Charter rights.” The drag show article never states all the social media comments about the show were anonymous (they were not). The article mentions only far-right Christians; there was no “message of hate” expressed towards Christians. And the show in question did not target children.
‘God loves everyone’
Dear Editor:
RE: Recent letters concerning the drag show last weekend in Elora.
I have to admit, I am still astonished that in this day and age, there is this much animosity toward people of different orientations. In response I would like everyone to read the following words.
These words are not mine, but those of a wonderful musician, performer and poet, Ron Sexsmith.
“God loves everyone,
Like a mother loves her son,
No strings at all,
Unconditional.
Never one to judge,
Would never hold a grudge,
‘Bout what’s been done,
God loves everyone.
There are no gates in heaven,
Everyone gets in,
Queer or straight,
Souls of every faith.
Hell is in our minds,
Hell is in this life,
But when it’s gone,
God takes everyone.
His love is like a womb,
It’s like the air from room to room,
It surrounds us all.
The living and the dead,
May we never lose the thread
That binds us all.
The killer in his cell,
The atheist as well,
The pure of heart,
And the wild at heart,
Are all worthy of his grace,
It’s written on the face,
Of everyone.
God loves everyone.
There’s no need to be saved,
No need to be afraid,
Cause when it’s done,
God takes everyone.
God loves everyone.”
Paul Gooch,
Elora
Not very ‘Godly’
Dear Editor:
When my husband and I were studying at the University of Guelph, we invited my brother who was at Western and my sister in law to our place on a Saturday night because we wanted them to experience our favourite pub: The Albion hotel. But we ended up being disappointed because The Albion was full.
At the time, we didn’t know Guelph that well, but after driving around for a bit, we managed to find a really snazzy looking place all lit up and blasting with music just as we liked it! We had just found a table for four and settled into our chairs, lucky to be really close to the stage where it looked like the show was about to start.
A tall, beautiful woman came swirling in with a flourish of satin and lace flowing behind her. She was blessed with long dark gleaming hair, bright brown eyes and cheeks that glowed pink; bedecked in a low cut gown that was all the colours of the rainbow; her heels about four inches high!
She began to sing and we were overjoyed to hear that she had the voice of a pro. A baritone voice. We snuck looks at each other. We had never seen anyone in drag before.
Considering it was the then, pretty small town of Guelph, she gave a show that was classy, humorous, articulate, sexy and highly entertaining.
I would not say that I am a very religious person. I don’t really believe that you need to be a part of a man-made religion to believe in “a higher power.”
And I think conventional religion has a pretty bad record historically. Consider the residential schools; The Reformation; The Spanish Inquisition; The Salem Witch trials; Europe’s war of religion which put 4,000 “witches” to a terrible death; the Thirty Years War which killed one third of Germany’s population.
There may be a lot of people that use religion to further their own way of thinking and this can cause serious harm to innocent people. I think we would all agree that this is not a “Godly” way to behave.
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
Biodiversity
Dear Editor:
RE: Concern over farmland impact expressed at public meeting on growth in county, Jan. 19.
To the list of reasons for minimizing more than just residential development on farmland can be added biodiversity conservation.
“Benign neglect” of non-arable corners of otherwise tilled farmland has resulted in biodiversity reservoirs that conserve the very pollinators on which crops depend. Further, on a per-unit area basis, more rare and threatened plant species have been recorded on farms compared with designated conservation lands.
However, understandably, politicization of science surrounding at-risk and other species has contributed to concern by many landowners about “government overreach” to conserve them on private land, and reticence to further document the extent to which farmland that is marginal for food production should be valued for its contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Without evidence, it will continue to be a challenge to develop rational policies in this regard. With evidence, the agricultural sector becomes a valued partner, rather than perceived pariah, in biodiversity conservation.
Tom Nudds,
Centre Wellington
Coronation plans?
Dear Editor:
“L’Etat, c’est, moi” (“I am the state”) is attributed to Louis XIV of France. It could just as well be applied to Premier Doug Ford.
Now he’s telling the federal government (along with most other people affected) that it is wrong for them to interfere with his plans for the Greenbelt.
I wonder what date he plans for his coronation?
Chris Woode,
Fergus
‘High horse’
Dear Editor:
Have you ever ridden on a merry go round ride? The horses are all painted so beautifully.
But, have you noticed the difference in those horses? Some have their ears pinned back almost in anger and some have faces with their ears standing up looking forward.
That ride reminds me of an old saying: getting up on your high horse.
This happens when one horse goes up and then that rider is looking down at the one beside it. Even if someone you know is sitting on that one or a complete stranger perhaps.
The high horse … it doesn’t stay up forever.
Liz Hughes,
Puslinch
‘Life affirming care’
Dear Editor:
RE: No quality of life, Jan. 26
First of all, my sympathies to Linda Shaw at the passing of her sister after suffering pancreatic cancer. I do know what it is to witness a dearly beloved suffer and die from this disease. Both my dear parents died of cancer, my mother also of pancreatic cancer.
She declined the chemo treatments; sometimes the attempted cure is worse than the disease. She received palliate sedation to relieve suffering and I was at her bedside at the moment of her passing into glory.
I also happen to be a retired pastor who has stood by many people in the final days and even moments of their lives. So I have witnessed suffering.
The point I made in my Jan. 5 letter to the editor was that medical assistance in dying (MAID) is not a private matter which has no effect on how our Canadian society views life. Linda’s support for MAID when there is no quality of life any longer supports my opinion.
What is the definition of “quality of life?” And who measures when there is no longer “quality of life?” I believe that those questions are where MAID heads down the “slippery slope.”
If someone is depressed and suicidal at a certain time, is there no longer any “quality of life” and should they be okay to request MAID? This is apparently where MAID is headed in our country, as it has already, for instance in The Netherlands.
As pastor I have been able to stand by and help a number of people who were determined to end their lives due to their mental state and who are now happy and thankful to be alive.
With the emphasis on “quality of life” to justify MAID, I believe the matter of the view of the “value of life” in our society is negatively affected.
I believe that MAID only encourages the devaluation of the lives of the helpless, the disabled, the vulnerable and the elderly.
By the way, I am also the parent of an autistic, non-verbal daughter who requires 24/7 care. What is her quality of life? What is the value of her life?
In place of MAID and its expansion I would suggest that we as Canadians need to deeply value life and promote suicide prevention and life-affirming care for all.
Jack Moesker,
Fergus
‘God’s good plan’
Dear Editor:
RE: Look in the mirror, Jan. 26.
I would like to thank Jim Trautman for so clearly pointing out what happens when people abandon Biblical sexuality.
All the people Mr. Trautman names in his letter committed horrific sex crimes because they deviated from God’s good plan.
Josh Duggar, to use one of his examples, turned his back on his Christian upbringing and instead lived according to the popular secular belief that every sexual desire should be automatically pursued. Now he is rightfully in prison as a result. His family agrees that his sentence is just.
Mary VanderVelde,
Elora
Myeloma awareness
Dear Editor:
I am writing to you today to ask for your help in raising awareness for multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer also known as myeloma. Please help me get the month of March 2023 proclaimed as “Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.”
In 2022, a record number of nine Canadian provinces and territories recognized March as Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, and municipalities across the country similarly recognized the last Thursday in March as Multiple Myeloma Awareness Day.
This year, we are aiming to achieve nationwide recognition for Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month and, we cannot do without your involvement.
I am living with multiple myeloma. On average, 11 Canadians are diagnosed with myeloma every single day, and this number has been steadily rising for over 15 years. According to a recent Statistics Canada report, the incidence of myeloma is now increasing at a higher rate than any other type of cancer for males, and at the second highest rate for females.
There are some risk factors related to cancer, and myeloma is no exception.
Obesity and chemical exposure are important risk factors that contribute to the increasing number of cancer cases in the country.
We need to make sure more Canadians are aware of this devastating disease, so that the increasing number of new myeloma cases can be more easily detected, treated earlier, and that people living with myeloma can live longer and better lives.
In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in research. Despite the promise offered by innovative new therapies, the stark reality of living with myeloma remains: no matter how effective any treatment is— I will eventually relapse and need a new one.
When I relapse, I need to know a new treatment will be available for me and that I will have affordable access to it.
By participating in our advocacy campaign and helping us make March the Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, we can raise awareness for this disease that has taken the lives of too many Canadians.
Help us make March 2023 Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month in all provinces and territories and give people living with myeloma hope for a brighter future.
Visit myeloma.ca to learn more.
Johanna Kidd,
Centre Wellington
‘More stability’
Dear Editor:
If done well, shifting to clean, renewable electricity will bring well-paid, skilled jobs and more stability and security in a global market that is transitioning away from fossil fuels.
With sufficient investments in infrastructure and energy efficiency, Canada has the renewable energy resources to meet all our energy needs.
Putting a cap on emissions from oil and gas will be a critical test for the federal government — and a defining moment for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s legacy on climate change.
Jeannie Monaghan,
Guelph