RE:

["Tom Hansen" <thansen@moscow.com>]

Mr. Douglas -

I didn't bring up Fred Phelps.  You did.

Question:  What do you consider as "the practice" that you are so morally
opposed to?

Mr. Phelps has every right to believe in whatever he wants to.  That is what
I meant by "Free to be you and me".  What I am morally opposed to is the
self-righteous indignation that he preaches.  Everybody has a right to be
whatever they wish to be as long as it doesn't interfere with other peoples'
right to be themselves.  And, as an individual, I have the right to like or
dislike those same individuals.

Waiting to see what type of spin you are going to put on this,

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

***********************************
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.

- Author Unknown
***********************************

-----Original Message-----
From: David Douglas [mailto:ddouglas@pacsim.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 1:07 PM
To: thansen@moscow.com; vision2020@moscow.com
Subject:


Mr. Hansen,

 I vehemently disagree with Mr. Phelps focus and methods, but believe as a
Christian that homosexuality is morally objectionable
(as are all heterosexual sins, as well).  (I think Doug Jones' take on Mr.
Phelps was pretty close to the mark).

But I am curious how you discern that Mr. Phelps (or anyone else) is
homophobic (having irrational fear of homosexuals) rather than
morally opposed to the practice.  While Mr. Phelps' choice of responses to
this issue does not strike me as balanced, or productive,
or even particularly rational, it does not follow that he is motivated by
homophobic fear.

Best Regards,

David Douglas