Letters 07-07-2014

July 6, 2014

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Charging for Beach Parking?

What are they thinking in Empire? Most of the small towns up north are jumping through hoops to attract visitors. But Empire has decided to charge a dollar an hour for parking access to their main attraction, the Lake Michigan beach. This is the beach within walking access to the National Lakeshore to the north and south. The parking should remain free; but if they have to have the money, they should charge a reasonable amount for a day pass, and a little more for an annual pass. Who goes to the beach for an hour? I for one will boycott Empire until something changes. I will be dining and shopping elsewhere when I visit the Lake Michigan lakeshore that belongs to all of us.

Tom Kerwin, Elimira

No Debate About Greater Power

I can’t help but chuckle at your featured debates between a pastor and atheist. With over 40,000 different protestant and non-denominational denominations in the world and counting, asking only Pastor Nick Twomey to define theological explanations for Trinitarian believing Christians is like shopping for car insurance on the Internet; I know what I need, so many to choose from before I commit, will coverage meet my needs.

His dating.com sites cliche "being spiritual but not religious" flies right in his Baptismal promise face and Clergy 4361 tax filing form. Google the word "religious" and we get the definition we seek. I believe like Christ (a good practicing religious Jew, by the way) that we are to be called both spiritual and religious. Be holy as my heavenly father is holy.

On the other hand, I believe Gary Singer has too much emotional, intellectual, and public investment in his position in not believing in God. It would take a road to Damascus experience to reverse his denial in a greater power. Sometimes changing or turning back one’s beliefs and lifestyle takes a lot of humility and that can be painful.

Reading these debates is like reading a tragic comedy; entertaining but in the end I am just sad. Sad that your readers who don’t know any better and are truly seeking God are not getting the fullness of Christ teaching and truths. Let me also remind both Nick and Gary whether they believe it or not we will have to answer to a power greater than ourselves. There is no "in between." May God be with you and guide you both in your search for the narrow path.

Steve Rozanski, Traverse City

Column Correct: No Guns in School

Scott Hardy’s Guest Opinion "Get Guns Out of Schools" is spot on. We have the best, excellently trained law enforcement officers locally who are superbly trained to deal with all possible situations. The need for anyone else to carry guns is both unnecessary and without reason.

T. Michael Jackson, Traverse City

Correction: The photo of the Tent Venue shown in the Sam Porter story last week was taken by Oden & Janelle Photography.