DATE: Tuesday, June 24, 1997                TAG: 9706240006

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  128 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

RELIGION

Disney boycott

is Mickey Mouse

The Southern Baptists have voted to boycott Disney because it hires gays and provides health benefits for gay couples. Well, Disney is obeying the law of the land; namely, nondiscrimination. However, the Southern Baptists are forgetting an even greater law; that is, God's law. I believe in the Bible. It says, ``Judge not lest ye be judged.''

I do not embrace nor condone the gay lifestyle, but they are our neighbors in the world community and have been around a lot longer than the Southern Baptists.

I would think with all the problems in this world, the Southern Baptists could find something a tad more important to dwell on than who Disney hires.

So Southern Baptists - boycott Disney if you must, but let's hope that God doesn't boycott you.

Diane Buccini

Virginia Beach, June 19, 1997

Southern Baptists

need a convert: Ellen

Kudos to the Southern Baptists for voting on a Disney boycott! I'm looking forward to shopping in my local Disney store this summer knowing that I won't have to stand in line next to any bigots or hypocrites.

The best thing that could happen now would be for Ellen Degeneres to hold a press conference and announce that she has converted to the Southern Baptist faith. What would those Baptists do then?

Debbie Gresham

Chesapeake, June 19, 1997

Gay community

has had enough, too

I was outraged when I read about the Southern Baptists boycotting Disney. The comment about having ``enough of this gay community being pushed down our throats'' was just too much for me and others of the gay community. Couldn't the gay community say the same thing about the Southern Baptists?

I believe this organization thrives on bigotry and hatred. Is this what we want to teach our children? Is this a Christian approach to dealing with the gay community?

Victor Stewart

Norfolk, June 19, 1997

JUSTICE

Death penalty

negates our faith

I appreciated the June 9 article, ``Different faiths grapple with the death penalty.'' My conviction is that every time a life is taken arbitrarily and with premeditation, we negate our belief in God.

The Psalmist says, ``It is He that hath made us and not we ourselves.'' As a nation under God (as many of us like to think), we ascribe to that belief. State-sponsored destruction of a life should, then, be unthinkable.

The question in Timothy McVeigh's case should not be, ``Does he deserve to die?'' Rather, it should be, ``Do we trust God enough to leave the time and manner of his death in His hands?''

Nancy Wimett

Murfreesboro, N.C., June 12, 1997

Evil begets evil

The vicious revenge reflected in the Versailles Treaty produced an Adolf Hitler.

The vicious action by the federal government at Waco produced a Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing.

Evil acts have, very often throughout history, produced dangerous counterresponses.

Joseph Blackmore

Virginia Beach, June 13, 1997

APRES WORLD WAR II

Not all the French

have forgotten U.S. aid

My daughter, who lives in Virginia Beach, read me your June 15 letter by Hal Milgrim, ``No `merci' for French major's remarks.'' I live in the south of France.

Don't be sad because there are many French people who have a short memory. Remember with others that, thanks to America, we have been liberated and then helped with the economical plan of George Marshall. Without it, the Soviets would have taken control all over Europe.

You could also tell Maj. Bruno Mignot that if we used to be a powerful nation, we have become nothing - unemployment 12 percent, wild immigration and waste. No political figure has either the courage or the will to settle those conflicts.

Pray the Lord that America stays prosperous and powerful. I am very proud to have American grandchildren.

Francoise Fessol

Marseille, France, June 18, 1997

NORFOLK

Anchors aweigh

on ship project

I salute Dave Addis for his June 15 article, ``It might take a battleship to defend Norfolk's image.'' I believe he has come up with the catalyst not only for solving Nauticus' survival problems but also for enhancing Norfolk's other developments: Waterside, Harbor Park, the World Trade Center and the new city mall.

Let's make Nauticus the Navy museum of the United States. With all the downsizing and decommissioning of ships, I am sure the Navy could donate an F-14 cockpit, World War II-era anti-aircraft system, cruise missiles, segments of a submarine, etc.

Why not put together a blue-chip committee of retired admirals and local dignitaries to study ways to get this project off the launch pad?

Harold E. Grant

Virginia Beach, June 18, 1997

REGIONALISM

Airport hub is needed

more than a sports team

The only way to get Hampton Roads to become a tourist hub is to construct a truly international airport, an airport that can receive 747s and even larger planes.

Right now, there is only one hotel, the Hilton, to go along with the airport, but the airport doesn't get as many flights coming through as, let's say, O'Hare or LaGuardia. But with an international airport hub, hotels would follow.

Hiring Rob Horrow, the consultant from Miami, to help the Hampton Roads Partnership is definitely a good idea. But instead of trying to get our precious Hampton Roads a sports team, which seems like a lost cause, he should try to get an international airport to compete with the likes of Dulles and O'Hare.

Steve Ander

Virginia Beach, June 18, 1997

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