Posted by JHR on September 25, 2003 at 17:34:08:
In Reply to: About left hand rules posted by Sara Jones on September 25, 2003 at 10:25:54:
In response to the messages posted by james d. wilson on September 25, 2003 at 08:47:29:
WHY DOES HIS PA THINK THE BIG BOATS ARE SINFUL,& WHY DOES GOD MAKE LUKE LEFT HANDED IF THE LEFT HAND IS FOR THE DEVIL? I THINK THAT HE SHOUN'T PLAY BASEBALL BECAUSE IT MIGHT CAUSE PROBLEMS AT HOME. BUT IF HE DOES PLAY BASEBALL THEN HE MIGHT GET ALOT OF MONEY AND A GIRL FRIEND.AND ONE MORE THING, WHY DID HIS PA THINK THE LEFT HAND IS FOR THE DEVIL, AND WHY WERE PEOPLE PREJUDICE FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE LEFT-HANDED.
And
This one, posted by Sara Jones on September 25, 2003 at 10:25:54:
Dear Mr.Ritter,
I am writing to you today because something in your book Choosing Up Sides, has caught my eye and I do not get the reason why it did. It is about, why are people so worried about people being left handed? See I am left handed and my parents and grandparents have never thought that it was wrong. I do not think that it is right that they judge people because they are different.And I do not see what they think that it is the devil's side. Why did his pa make him go for several years with his hand tied behind his back? That is just wrong because it is his body and his parents genes that made him that way.
Well I have to go but maybe you can help us make people see that, that is just wrong.
Thanks,
Sara Jones
Rockcastle County Middle School Mt.Vernon Kentucky
****
Dear James and Sara,
Thank you both for your on-the-mark questions. All prejudice is rooted in fear, which in turn gives rise to all sorts of negative and violent emotions, including anger, hatred, and brutal attacks on other nations. That's why the very best-and most difficult and courageous-thing you can do when trouble brews is to allay the fear of the troublemaker, to put his fears at rest.
Sara, I love when you write, "That is just wrong because it is his body and his parents genes that made him that way." But, sadly, even today people show hatred, fear, and prejudice toward other people for the way they are born, the orientation of their brains or their genetics.
Silence is the best friend of prejudice. Speaking out against ignorance, hatred, fear, war, or other sad and brutal acts against love and grace is to stand on the turf of heroes. Thank you both for standing on that sacred ground. You are my heroes.
All my best,
-JHR
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