The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Paradise Lust

5.22.06 @ 12:01AM

IS ORIGINAL SIN SEXUAL?
Re: the "Forbidden Fruit" letters in Reader Mail's Bush Out-Foxed and Yale Kramer's Paradise Regained:

I have been rightfully challenged by readers on the editorial liberty I took when I referred to the tree of "Sexual Knowledge" in a recent posting. The reference was not relevant to the central point of the piece but because it caught the eyes of several friendly readers I feel compelled to explain my view on this interesting matter.

First I believe that part of the tradition of Biblical scholarship entails the notion that the Bible is characterized by ambiguous and contrary statements. And this accounts for the wealth of various conflicting interpretations -- interpretations which have been carried down through the centuries.

Secondly, the whole episode which led to Adam and Eve being kicked out of the Garden of Eden seems to refer to sexual issues throughout. Before they taste the fruit of the tree Adam and Eve appear to be innocent and the main sign of their innocence is their freedom from shame in their nakedness. In fact it is their shame -- their hiding -- that gives their transgression away to God. Their shame also requires them to hide their genitals from God and each other with aprons. If this doesn't suggest sexually conflicted feelings I don't know what does.

Thirdly, how does God punish Eve for her transgression? By inflicting on her a punishment that is only related to sexual congress: "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children...."

Lastly, the noun "knowledge" and the verb "to know" have more than one meaning in the Bible. In Genesis 4:1 one finds "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain...."

But I believe also that there is much room for disagreement in the world of the Bible.
-- Yale Kramer

MASS. REFUGEES
Re: Andrew Cline's Mass. Exodus:

I enjoyed Andrew Cline's article on Massachusetts's continuing decline. I revel in it! I would suggest however, that Mr. Cline take another look at the county-by-county maps of the 2004 election results. My up-until-then staunchly Republican State of New Hampshire went for Jean-Francois Kerry, propelled by voting results in the two counties bordering Taxachusetts and one along the Vermont border. Fie on these uprooted Flatlanders...
-- Gene Smith
Contoocook, New Hampshire

I had an idyllic childhood in a small historical town in Massachusetts. My wife and I left Massachusetts for good 14 years ago. Since then we have lived in four different states. In every place we have lived, we have encountered many other Mass. refuges including comrades in the military, classmates in grad school, co-workers, and neighbors. Almost all of them seem to be fiscal conservatives, social moderates like myself.

We left for better job opportunities and affordable housing. We still follow the Red Sox and Patriots. We still have family there and return regularly to visit. We all miss our beloved Massachusetts but most of us will never return permanently. We are truly Massachusetts' greatest export.
-- Chris B.

I left in 1981 for Texas. My salary doubled and I could buy a home for $60,000. What for can a person want? Massachusetts can keep their Kennedy's in office, good luck to them. Just do not get in a car with one of them.
-- John Bee, ex-Pat from Taxachusetts
Lake Jackson, Texas

MEXICAN FENCING
Re: Paul Chesser's Cracks in the Crack-Down:

One must believe the Washington Post. It prints the Democrat viewpoint and only the Democrat viewpoint. What is very sad is that the message is consistent and is spread by the Democrat leadership and their hundreds of media outlets. The message is that some problems are just too difficult to solve. This small problems-are-the-only-ones-we-can-solve is certainly given the lie by the history of this great nation and its people.

Today's Democrat leaders would find many of the significant and successful past undertakings of our people much too difficult and thus not worthy of the least attempt. Can't you just hear Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, and the newly addlebrained Rep. Murtha?

Letter to the Editor

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