MICHAEL MARTINEZ

Sandra,

Tell your friend that I enjoyed her writing style, but believe that she took
the Dinsmore stuff a little too far and seriously. I rate myself as one of
those "fundamentalists" but don't see it as quite the curse some folks
think. LOL!

Like much literature out there, there is both good and bad to it. No piece
of literature (aside from the Bible, which will bring a bring growl from
some of the crowd here) is ever held up as a "perfect example" by
Christians. Even the "Chronicles of Narnia," another series enjoyed by many
Christians, has its drawbacks and gray areas.

As a matter of fact I was looking at a catalog I received in the mail today
that had a new study guide for the Dinsmore series (there's 28 volumes in
the series available in paperback or hardback). As with all the other study
guides that I've seen and/or used, I'm sure there are questions that require
the child to compare/contrast today's understandings with the idealized
presentation of the mid 1800's. In fact, if the lessons on the Dinsmore
series are anything at all like most "Christian" curriculum, there will be
lots of questions about right vs. wrong, personal accountability for
behaviors, was what was viewed as "right" then really right?, lots of open
ended questions requiring the child to think about their own understanding
and opinions, etc.

Also, the affection that your friend refers to is prevelant in some families
and not in others. Its not necessarily a bad thing. I still kiss my dad
(gasp ... on the lips) and give him hugs and pets ... I love him. I also
kissed my grandfathers, uncles, and male cousins. Nothing incestuous is
meant by it ... just call us a bunch of touchy-feely, southern hillbillies.
I kiss my female relatives too. Some families are just more inclined
towards physical affection ... the healthy kind ... than others. And
referring to Elsie sitting on her dad's lap ... I still cuddle with my dad
on occassion ... but we both have put on a lot more weight than when I was a
teenager and its not quite as easy to do with our diminshed laps LOL! My
dad had his first heart attack when he was 48 years old (high stress job and
was a smoker) and still isn't in the greatest of shape 11 years later ... I
never want to look back and think about a possible lack of affection between
us because we held back just because someone had an icky imagination.

Anyway, just my two cents from the other side of the fence <grin>. Debate
can be a healthy thing, I just regret when labels get used that aren't
strictly true and might turn someone away from exploring a possible
interest. But hey ... none of us are alike and she's entitled to her
opinion, just sorry that she sees so much negativity and was probably hurt
by a "fundamentalist" at some point to cause such a viewpoint. Everyone,
regardless of their religious affiliation, can step on people's toes ...
wish they would hold the person accountable and not the religion, group, or
movement.

Kathy in FL mamkmm2@...
My Website: http://www.easyfunschool.com