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January/February 2004 Editor's Viewpoint
From the Editor

Miriam Knight

It is sometimes very difficult to decide which articles to accept for publication, especially when they may be controversial. The article by Dorothy Leon in the last issue elicited a number of Letters to the Editor, extracts of which are printed below. When I first read this article, I had the same reaction as these writers and debated whether to publish it or not. However, after rereading the article and checking out the biblical references in both the Hebrew and English versions, I found that they were accurate. Furthermore, I think the book raised some intriguing questions that deserved an airing.

It seems to me that the point of Leon's book is precisely the inflammatory nature of the biblical texts referred to, and how they have been used to justify pitting nation against nation. Rather than being a "form of classic hate literature" as suggested by Lynn, I think they can help us understand how fear and prejudice have been justified and fomented in the name of God and Country. In any debate - whether about religion, politics or anything else - it is all too easy to take words out of context and use them to attack people or ideas. Refusing to acknowledge this reality by not publishing this article is like trying to sweep the dirt under the rug.

We need to bring these things into the light of day and confront them. Throughout history monstrous crimes have been perpetrated in the name of principle, right up to the terrorism and aggression of today. "Never forgive, never forget" are words that have been used on all sides of conflicts around the world. But no people or nation has a monopoly on suffering, nor does any nation have a clear conscience.

It was Churchill who said that "those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it." Unfortunately, too many are using history as a justification for perpetuating violence. Churchill also said that "The main goal of the future is to stop violence. The world is addicted to it."

Using the principle of "divide and rule," this addiction has been nurtured and exploited by governments and religions, and pandered to by the mass media. We can reclaim our power, but we will never end the violence until we personally are able to stop using the emotional charge of our own racial memories to fuel fear or hatred. Let us relegate the roles of both victim and perpetrator to history and move forward with compassion and recognition of our common humanity.

---Miriam Knight

RE: Interview with Dorothy Leon, Is Jehovah an ET? (Nov/Dec 03 issue)

To the Editor

Sandra Nelson’s interview with Dorothy Leon troubles me. Her comment that "...the Jewish people...were of their father, the devil" is decidedly anti-Semitic. Whether read in or out of context, it is a judgment that is deeply disturbing. I urge you, Sandra, to be more discerning in what you quote and what you submit for print.

---Yehudah Winter, Portland, OR

To the Editor

I would like to call your attention to the article on page 25 of your current Nov./Dec. issue entitled "Is Jehovah an ET?" It says that the Jews worship Jehovah who is Satan (in other words saying that Jews are devil worshippers) and that Jews are the children of "their father, the devil."

This is an old, old anti-Semitic rhetoric that has been used for many centuries to inflame hatred against the Jewish people and was often used to justify the pogroms slaughtering Jews. This slander is currently being used by white supremacy hate groups. Now, in your paper, it is simply being thinly disguised with New Age talk about ETs but it is precisely the same.

I am truly shocked that a publication like yours would print this form of classic hate literature. How on earth can this serve to promote a "compassionate and spiritually vibrant society" which you say is your mission?

---Lynn Reichman, Eugene, OR

Dear Friend,

 The world has plunged into a physically unsustainable situation, one in which U.S. energy policy has become a total disaster--for the environment, for peace and for a future in which we can have energy sources we can count on. The fact that such sources are now being researched is very good news, but the public awareness and support of this is almost totally missing.

To meet this need, some of us have formed the New Energy Movement, a nonprofit whose purpose is  public education, debate and support of promising new energy sources with the objective of zero emissions globally by 2020. Our new website www.newenergymovement.org will give you a better idea of what we're doing and how you can become involved.

---Brian O'Leary, Ph.D.
www.brianoleary.com