Your approach to looking at habits through the lens of the five W-questions and H-question was very helpful. What I particularly liked about your approach was that it set particular habits and struggles with the context of one's whole life. I feel that when we want to deal with certain issues we often look at them atomistically instead of holistically. In other words, our focus on particular problems can become so narrow and so focused that we tend to lose a wider perspective on what might cause them. prw327@student.canterbury.ac.nz June 11, 1999.
Good and balanced article on the "m" word! At least you did not come out and
issue a blanket condemnation of those who do it. I've been to a couple of
Christian men's gatherings this year, and I am amused at some men who think
it's taboo with NO exceptions. To them I say "What a bunch of bunk!" What a slap in the face to a man in a
marriage wherein his mate has little or no interest in sexual relations (say
due to menopause or some other unknown reason). What is he to do??? Read
pornography? Have an affair?? My gosh, there were Old Testament giants of
men who had multiple wives!!! Talk about sexual deviants. It seems that
God would not look unfavorably on someone if masturbation is their sexual
issue, expspecially if it helps them stay true to their spouse, no matter how
frustrating it may be. [Name Withheld] November 6, 2000
Jim's humor column
I looked at your site. I didn't think many of your columns are funny. It's not that they are bad writing, but they aren't humor.
The latest one, about The Weakest link - nothing funny there at all. You mentioned There's Something About Mary. That's funny.
You aren't a funny author. It'd be better to not promote yourself as funny. I also didn't see any 'meat' to being a threat to society. You don't have any original ideas here, and I'd say that overall you are pretty conformed to the stereotypical cultural 'Christian' norm.
You'd have to stand out a lot more to backup the claims you are making about yourself. jared944@hotmail.com May 15, 2001
"There's Something About Mary"? Hmmm? You and I seem to have a different sense of humor.
Mister Watkins, I enjoy your humor and look forward to more of it. Who says that Christians can't laugh or have fun. In Christ I see JOY abounding. j1mount1@aol.com February 2, 2000.
I believe God made each person with an inside world and an outside world. We show our outside self here and there and that's pretty safe. On the other hand the weird, peculiarities of our inside world rarely get invited out and stay safely inside for only God to see and know. The more I surf your siftings, I'm sure God created you inside out. If you were more transparent, you'd be a pane. harvest@noble.cioe.com March 17, 1999.
I want to thank you personally from the bottom of my heart for your column on "Christians." I agree whole-heartedly with what you have to say. I, too, despise the hateful tactics that some many Christian leaders have taken. It is ineffective, unbiblical, and gives all Christians a bad name. I only wish they would stop, especially Jerry Falwell; he just gets to me, I pray for him every night. beverhar@inscorp.com January 28, 1998.
I especially liked your words regarding attitudes toward homosexuals and abortionists. I have several friends who aren't believers. They associate all "Christians" with gay bashers and killers of abortionists. "Well, you're different," they say to me. That response saddens me even more. Too many church members have given witness of bigotry and have manifested so little grace and compassion. Cec_Haraka@msn.com November 4, 1998.
Thanks for taking a humorous look at Halloween and not reading into it all sorts of extra spiritual meaning that is so often present today in the evangelical's quest to understand, interpret, and respond to their culture. [a denominational leader] November 2, 1998
Jim, I enjoyed the humor-tragedy idea. Nicely written. Wow, sorry to hear about your wife. What a horrible ordeal that must have been for both of you. Strange how little we really know about others' suffering and pain. Cec_Haraka@msn.com. April 1, 1999
Holy Week, the Holocaust . . . and Humor was a brilliant statement of God's purposes. He is in your pen, Jim! ckelly@paul.spu.edu. April 1, 1999.
I loved your suggestion [on dealing with Saddam
Hussein]! You know what's funny? A madman named Joe Stalin had chemical weapons and nukes for years and we never bombed him, invaded or even demanded to inspect his sites. Why? Because we couldn't push old Joe around without getting out noses bloodied. They say Saddam is different--that he's a loose cannon. I don't know, but when he did use that stuff agains the Kurds and Iran some years ago, why didn't we stop him then? Oh, I forgot. We were selling all kinds of military equipment to him at the time. Silly me. JSojourner@aol.com February 22, 1998
Jim, I like your thoughts! Seems too much like Wag the Dog lately to me. Even though diplomacy appears to be falling, there must be other ways beside shedding blood to bring [Saddam] to his kness. How about prayer? What a novel idea! vbkidder@aol.com February 20, 1998
It is quite fun to read your perspective on things and absurdity of the things people will buy, write, and/or promote to make a buck. The whole psychic thing and the best-selling Talking
to Heaven are enough to make me fall off my chair laughing if they were so sad on the other hand. Asklands@aol.com April 16, 1998.
As always, your column on war was creative and thought-provoking. I wanted to point out that there a glaring difference between the violence in say, Kosovo, and the violence in the school room. One is related to stopping evil (although one would wonder what the real motive of the President is) and the other is perpetuated by evil doers against rhose who are innocent of wrong doing. thinton@familyfireworks.com April 29, 1999.
Great article about war! Remember William Sloane Coffin's comments during the bicentennial. America was a land of freedom built on the back of millions of slaves and the blood of millions of Native Americans. Also, Robert Raines, during the Vietnam War, wrote, "The older men in Congress are asking the younger men to give up what they have: their lives. If the young men would ask the older men in Congress to give up what they have--their money--the war would stop immediately." You raise important issues about the results of violence and the risk of putting our children unnecessarily in harm's way. Thanks again! kspringer@indwes.edu June 1, 1999.
Quitcher whining [about weight], Watkins. Some of us have far more cubic yardage on the slide than you. What we need is emergency stabilization. I mean, we're talking avalanche control, my my friend! It is a comfort, though, to know that even you need suspenders to hold up your knees. Yours for gravity reform, Anonymous in Everett, Washington
Thanks, Anonymous. It is embarrassing, however, when your doctor suggests you see a specialist--the Army Corps of Engineers.
