Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 22:58:49 -0500
From: Wyll & Kristy Irvin <JoyBringers-AT-worldnet.att.net>
Subject: The Price of Free Speech


`I hesitate to respond to the series of postings on the issue of 
censorship. However, it seems that our discussion of puppetry has been 
overshadowed by an idealogical war. The main issue seems to be: "who has 
the right to disagree."
`First, let me say that hte AFA and Nazi postings were not appropriate 
for a dedicated discussion of puppetry. Those persons are free to 
beleive what they want. This is the price of free speech.
	As I observe those who condider themselves enlightened and open minded 
I see a perilous trend occurring. For many, to be tolerant and open 
minded is to think just like them. By not tolerating the intolorant are 
we not also being intorlorant?
	Please, don't get me wrong. There is much in this world I do not 
tolerate. I find the racist, sexist, and heteful ranting and ravings of 
those who claim to speak for God to be intolerable. For you see, as a 
full time United Methodist Minister that is my job and these fools make 
me and my collegues look bad. And, frankly we do enough to look like 
fools ourselves -- we don't need the help.
	I find Jim Maroon's statement interesting: "I didn't mean to pick on 
the religious right.  The religious left can be (and often is) just as 
bad or worse.  It is a matter of people of whatever persuasion trying to 
dictate what is acceptable."
	Since I am a conservatice moderate I know he is not talking about me 
(the young clergy person said out of sheer denial ...). It does speak of 
me and my profession. Societies need boundaries. If you lay the major 
world religiouns side by side. Although you will find many differences 
the basic moral code are very simular. We need moral standards. I doubt 
anyone disagrees. Where the disagreement comes is who sets the 
standards. I beleive I can understand the feelings of one who is not and 
Christian to have the AFA invade and force thier standards of right and 
wrong upon them.(Frankly, I resent the deluge of mail that crosses my 
desk from the AFA.) I know how I feel when persons tell me what 
Christian belief should be. Let's face it, Jesus was not, nor will ever 
be, Politically Correct. 
	The point is in a pluralisitc society like ours we will disagree on the 
fine points. We must agree to disagree civally (sp?). This means being 
truly tolerant. You don't have to apporve of something to tolerate it. 
In a pluaralistic setting such as our pupptry dialogue we must allow for 
a variety of beleifs and opinions. Christian Puppetry is a part of the 
artform as much as any other aspect. We should not judge an artist on 
their religion, skin color, or sexual orientation. In such a setting we 
truley need to be open minded and learn from each other or as a friend 
says: "eat the meat and throw out the bones" (or eat the corn and throw 
away the cob for our vegitarian buddies). 
And so ends my sermon ... take out your songbooks and turn to ....
Wyll Irvin
The JoyBringers
Pompano Beach, Florida
USA
P.S.
Let's talk puppets!
Did they use puppets in 101 Dalamtions?


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