I'm no theologian, but I do evaluate human arguments for a
living, and I can tell you that neither of yours is anything to write
home about.
As regards the wedding, I maintain that an ounce of compassion weighs more than a ton of theology.
I apologize for my own scorched-earth rhetoric on this topic to date, but I hope you wouldn't hold that against Jan.
I've
shown up for two of Jan Janzdaad's weddings, and for me that was about
respect and love and family. It had also meant a great deal to me when
she came for her visit to Chukkachank.
I'm
sure I can't adequately explain how painful it is to see and hear your
responses, which from my point of view come across as cold, cruel,
selfish, petty, and clueless. Admittedly, I got the ball rolling with
overwrought, hyperbolic, crass, sarcastic, and disrespectful.
As
the only son of your only brother, Jan, how many favors have I asked of
you? Is there mistake or misdeed I have the power to put right that could help
persuade? Weren't you supposed to say something to us back in WD93 like "If
there's ever anything..."?
I'm
going to suggest to Jan that, if your attendance really is important
to her, that she call or write to each of you to let you know. I've
begun to wonder how well you understand the importance of this to her.
Or perhaps it's me who doesn't understand. Or perhaps Jan won't even
come to think about it seriously until after it's too late.
Please
understand that in reaching out to you, I mean to reach out for a
stronger, warmer, closer, safer human bond between us as people, family
members, Americans-- not to try and break your religion.
by Jan
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