Dear Editor:
The recent attention given to the drag show that took place at the Elora Distilling Company has brought mixed reactions.
The first article of Jan. 19 highlighted negative comments received by the company. It is unfortunate that some of the comments were strong emotional reactions to the event the company was hosting.
The letter by Carol O’Neil of Feb. 2 addressed the issue of “disagreement is not hate” and is well written.
A second article about the drag show was in the Feb. 2 edition. I found it interesting that one of the performers, Karma Kameleon, actually talked with the three protesters and none of them were described as threatening or abusive but the performer for the first time was scared. I was puzzled by this.
Then further in the article it said that if 90 per cent of the people making negative comments online “just went to a drag show … this wouldn’t be happening.” The remainder, she added, are those who have gone so far into their beliefs that they can’t be educated – and “that’s terrifying”.
I can understand if violence and abusive behaviour are used to express a person’s view, it should be dealt with measures to stop it. We must be careful with what might be classified as hate. Too broad a definition could be harmful to all involved.
I feel some clarification is needed in the Feb. 2 letter from Paul Gooch concerning the lyrics he submitted from Ron Sexsmith. Yes it is true that God loves everyone, but scripture is quite clear about who God is and how He deals with those who break His rules. I realize that this is a song or a poem but unfortunately, God does judge and there is adequate scripture where God brings judgment upon both Israel and gentiles. The fact that Christ died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world illustrates a judgment has taken place.
The idea that “There’s no need to be saved” does not line up with any scripture. You do have the choice to believe if scripture is true or not, but there are consequences for the choices we make. Just like there may be consequences for the individuals that commented on the drag show.
Michael Thorp,
Mount Forest