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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I’m very sorry that Joe Campbell has concluded our discussion the
way he has. I was not the one who initiated the discussion, and I
continued discussing it based on the continued interest of others. I also
thought that Joe and I were able to keep it on a professional level, which is
what I am used to as an analytic philosopher. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>As a bit of biographical information on myself: I almost never think
about homosexuality and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten into a
discussion or debate about it before this particular exchange; and I really don’t
have much interest in it from here. Most of my views and experience with
the issue stems more from standard American evangelicalism on the East Coast
and not Doug Wilson or any ministries of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I found it simply a good starting point for getting into basic issues
of morality and a bit on sexuality in general, since this was a topic that
seemed to interest others. I thought we were having a rational
discussion/debate on basic contemporary issues regarding moral theory and
sexuality, and I have repeatedly made it clear that I do not compare bestiality
and homosexuality in the way Joe now claims. I have also criticized Christians
for the way they have handled the issue of homosexuality. Just today I posted
the following to Doug Wilson’s blog; this was one among many points in
which I was criticizing <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>’s
view on a matter. I wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Take homosexuality for example. The media has done a great job
at spinning the fundamentalist’s approach to this issue, and some of it
is probably correct. Wilson himself has spoken strongly about
evangelicals’ approach to homosexuality and homosexual marriage. We have
our bibles up-sided down and don’t have a clue how and why homosexuality
is wrong or what the Lord is doing about it; we are just aesthetically
disgusted and so we throw our political weight around or entertain theonomic
thoughts of killing them all in the name of our timeless Mosaic civil Law (oh
yes we do). (I would recommend a browsing of the Homosexuality thread on Vision2020).
Should we not suspect that McLaren has some of this in mind? Is McLaren hoping
to start ordaining Lesbian pastors or is he just aberrantly tired of the same
old slop?” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>So is Joe correct in his assessment of me? I have maintained a
consistent pattern of respect for those with non-heterosexual orientation,
while also maintaining the very simple and traditional point of view that it is
morally wrong, as is my gruff treatment of my wife, and as is adultery. I
sincerely thought Joe was interested in continuing a progressive and helpful
discussion/debate on the many issues that have been raised, most of which are
traditional issues discussed in philosophy. I did not think I would be
surprised by any turns my discussions on Vision 2020 would take, including
Wayne Fox’s charge that I was a liar. But I must say, this is a bit
unsettling and surprising. I don’t mean this to be any sort of
criticism for Joe; I don’t know what else is going on in his head and why
he feels the way he does; however, I felt it important to defend myself, and I
ask concerned readers to review the posts on this subject between us.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thank You,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Michael Metzler<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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