Editor:

I am not sure why I am so bothered by the following — but I am.  I attended Catholic Mass today as I usually do on Sundays, and was struck by the woman hood of some of my female friends; T. M. E. and others.  I adore them not in any romantic way but in the way they carry themselves and identify; without doubt to their sex.  Theirs is much different than my own; I am male and have always been male.  I didn ¢â‚¬â„¢t think much about that fact attending Kindergarten where I noticed there were differences; I had short hair and wore denums the others that I later identified as girls had long hair or pigtails and wore dresses.  For the most part they didn ¢â‚¬â„¢t like us and we didn ¢â‚¬â„¢t particularly like them — they were different.  They spoke differently, they acted differently — we boys fought and wrestled and played contact games; they despised us for that.  But, somehow we got along and we respected each other ¢â‚¬â„¢s appearance and habits.  They had different restrooms then us guys, and we were instructed to not violate that space, but to use our own — BOY ¢â‚¬â„¢S ROOM, and out of respect for our opposites we did not violate that rule.

 

But after Mass I needed to do some grocery shopping as Sharon was not feeling well.  So, I stopped at the only grocery open on a Sunday in our town and did my business.  But before I got my shopping cart I spied this young — clearly — female with a sort of top (can ¢â‚¬â„¢t describe it properly) as it showed her bare shoulders and bare midriff.  But the thing that started me — not her dress as other girls dress that way — but what the garment said; THEY, THEM.  Now I wondered ¢â‚¬Å“what the hell does that mean? ¢â‚¬ �  Now I ¢â‚¬â„¢m sure that the cadre of critics to my writings can explain not only to me, but to other readers as well — ¢â‚¬Å“what the hell it means! ¢â‚¬ � 

 

In my own beliefs there are certain rules that I as a male do not violate without repercussions.  I am to respect others regardless of their biological sex, race, or religion.  But, I know there is Nature ¢â‚¬â„¢s law and God ¢â‚¬â„¢s law and to violate either is sinful.  I grew up as a Protestant and through our regular sermons and summer bible schools we were taught the basics of the Christian Religion.  When I met Sharon and we decided to spend the rest of our lives together I realized that there could be no differences in our religious beliefs.  So, as I was on Active Duty USAF during our engagement I had various Air Force Chaplin priests instruct me as to Catholic Doctrine.  The Gospels — Mathew, Mark, Luke and John were the kingpins to my indoctrination as were those men of the Old Testament — Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah, Daniel and David. These are men of great faith who had trials and weaknesses just as we do today. (David, As a young lad, how brave and courageous he was to confront the Philistine giant Goliath and best him in mortal combat.)  I found Jesus to be kind, merciful, and a great teacher to his Jewish and non- Jewish brothers and sisters.  Anyway, no need to go further.  But still the question — what the hell does ¢â‚¬Å“they -  them ¢â‚¬ � mean?

 

Does it have to do with ¢â‚¬Å“Secular Humanism ¢â‚¬ �.  In other words the only worthwhile religion is found only in governance?; ---is  that is what Marxism and other leftist ideologies including Progressivism are about?  Is that it; or is there some other mystery I am not aware of?  Hmm?  I am sure the trio can enlighten me.

 

Remember November

 

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer