[Vision2020] Concerning NSA

[Tom Hansen]

Mr. Knecht -

You can "repaint" this picture with all the "what ifs" you want.  The facts
remain unchanged.

Three citizens of Moscow filed a grievance stating that New Saint Andrews
College, a school located in the heart of town on Main Street, is in
violation of a city zoning ordinance that does not allow it.  It really is
just that simple.  

Enough said.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are
dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all
exist very nicely in the same box. 

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Andrew Knecht
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 8:59 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Concerning NSA

This is my first blog post, so please forgive me for any breach of protocol.
I will keep 
this short.  Hopefully.

The current issues surrounding New Saint Andrew's College and their zoning
dilemma has 
presented itself to me a few times, some I have sought and some I have not.
I feel I have 
an elementary understanding of the situation and a certain feeling
predominated my thoughts 
each time it was presented, every time growing more and more concrete.  I
hope what I say is 
worth hearing and understood correctly.

I can not speak to the exact motives of the men who pointed out the zoning
problem of NSA, 
but from what I have heard the basis is not a good one.  Desiring another
man's (or men's) 
suffering through incrimination, whether an allegation is true or not, is
wrong.  The desire 
should be purely for the upholding of the law and the retention of order.  I
hope that the 
feeling these men had when they found this problem was not "now we have a
means to smite 
them by," but instead, "here is a violation, we should bring this to the
authorities' 
attention."  My question to them is this:  If it were any institution in
violation of this 
code other than NSA, would you have even brought it up?  Would you have
pursued it as you 
have this particular case?  Would you have even cared?  If the answer turns
out to be "yes" 
for all of them, then I see no problem with the men.  However, if even one
can not be agreed 
upon, I ask that the men please consider their true motivations.  Please do
not encourage 
other's dislike through your own dislike.  Your reaction urges other's with
a struggle 
against NSA, many of which stem from just hatred.  Wishing for any person to
fail or 
struggle because you abhor them, even in a slight manner, is a fault for
yourself.  Bringing 
up such a case reveals one's own sin as much as the accused.  Work for order
and upholding 
of the law for the good of others, not yourself.

Now, after saying this, if it be the case that the dispute is due to a
dislike of NSA and 
its affiliations, it does not detract from the fact that NSA may be breaking
the law.  (This 
is a particular fuzzy area for me as to the claims of each side)  The
leaders set before us 
are appointed by God, I believe this by faith in what He promises.
Therefore going against 
them is going against God.  Our leaders locally have set a law concerning
zoning that NSA is 
not following to some degree.  No matter if the accusers are in error in
their approach or 
not, the law states something and NSA is not adhering to that law.  And from
what I have 
seen and read, NSA's reaction to the accusation is dodgy.  Trying to either
put the blame 
elsewhere, say they didn't need a permit or were unaware they needed one or
they simply 
point back at the critic.  My question for those in charge are:  Are you
being truthful 
about your perception of your condition?  Are you jumping straight to
defense mode without 
unbais consideration?  Is it pride?  How much greater a witness and example
would it be if 
you simply conceded and moved on with no complaining?  What keeps you from
doing so?  
Ignorance can only go so far.  Accepting one's punishment and assignments is
a duty all men 
are called to.  Suffering, whether by tyranny or simple mistakes, is
something Christians 
need to expect.  "Consider it pure joy..." when you are given an opportunity
to show your 
respect for a town that is struggling to accept you.  Do not let pride bury
you even further 
into contention.  If pride keeps you from moving, you are in sin.  If money
keeps you from 
moving, what price are you unwilling to pay in order to be an example to
those that are 
against you?  Will you not be rewarded for such a wonderful witness?  What
keeps you from 
leaving?  I must stress: look at the law, truthfully consider if you are at
fault, ignore 
how or who you hear it from, fix it.

My intention for this note is not to increase the disputes between the two
parties.  I hope 
that my message is a teaching one, if not to the parties discussed within
it, to those that 
choose to follow the issue.  If my words are deemed praiseworthy, I hope
that those reading 
it will return hate with love and care not for the issue but for peace
between God's 
disciples to return, no matter the engine.  If what I say is doomed to be
poorly spoken and 
filled with mistakes, I wish only that my idea of a Christian, humble end be
continued.  

Thanks for bearing with me.  Not as short as I had expected, but I said what
I wanted.  Good 
day.

-That's that


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