Letters to the Editor

Here's my book list

I read with interest your list of best selling books, listed in the most recent issue of Together. I was intrigued by the idea of how much different people can be in reading tastes. I know that the poet Robert Browning said that there can be no disputing of tastes. But I was aware of my own reaction to the list. I read half of one of them. Those books are not books that I read, nor any of my friends. We consider ourselves dyed-in-the-wool United Methodists, who must be out of the mainstream of The United Methodist Movement by what seems to be occurring in the Church.
Since you have published one list of books that seems to be a recommendation of Together, I wonder if you would publish another list. This list would not be on the best-seller list, and perhaps wouldn't make even the worst-seller's list. But I wonder if, in the name of diversity among United Methodists, you would dare publish a list of books which probably never will be widely read, but might reach a limited readership to whom the Church might like to cater. I give them to you forthwith.

Beyond Belief by Elaine-Pagel; Random House
The Heart of Christianity by Marcus J. Borg; Harper
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard; Harper
The Extreme Center by Scott J. Jones; Abingdon Press
The Serenity Prayer by Elizabeth Sifton; WW Norton
Gilead by Marylinne Robinson; Picador
When Jesus Came to Harvard by Harvey Cox; Houghton-Mifflin
American Jesus by Stephen Prothero; Farrar, Straus and Girox
The Enigma of Anger by Farrett Keizer; Jossey Bass

I hope you will print this list as a fair expression of the fact that United Methodists read more widely than your list would indicate. There are some of us who really are convinced that our voices are not being heart.

James F. Morin
West Lafayette, Ind.

Supports statewide smoke-free legislation

You have suggested we should ask our legislators to increase funding for ITPC (Indiana Tobacco Prevention Cessation agency), but I do not believe that organization has been very effective with the funds already provided. I feel the primary goal should be statewide smoke-free legislation, but the leader of the Jackson County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, who is a Seymour councilman, has told us he would not vote for such an ordinance for Seymour. This coalition was organized and funded by ITPC. Our monthly meetings never identify specific goals with deadlines for action.

I am obtaining signatures on petitions asking for smoke-free restaurants.

I will deliver these to local restaurant managers and owners when they represent 500 customers. The coalition has not expressed much interest in this or any other project, such as helping start a VOICE chapter.

You should be urging us all to press our legislators to pass a smoke-free workplace law and raise Indiana's tobacco tax to Michigan's rate. This is much more important than increasing the funding of an organization with such a poor performance record.

- John McMillen
Bedford, Ind.

Editor's Note: I don't think it's one or the other but both/and. The state supported ITPC, not funded with tax dollars but with Tobacco Settlement money, has an exceptional record in helping curb teen smoking in Indiana from one-in-three teens smoking to one-in-four teens smoking. ITPC's www.WhiteLies.tv Web site has been effective with a teen audience that spends much time online. Deep funding cuts have come which has affected the frequency and placement of WhiteLies TV spots and outdoor advertising. ITPC also works with United Methodist parish nurses and community groups to ban smoking in public places across the state like the smoking ban in Bloomington. We need both local support with this issue, such as John McMillen's support, but we also need statewide support in ITPC. See related viewpoint.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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