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While my boyfriend and his family are preparing for cold winds and freezing temperatures back on the East Coast, I am resting in my Jacuzzi under the warm sun. In my opinion, the winter season doesn’t get any better than in San Diego.

FROM THE PULPIT

In the November issue of your magazine, a letter to the editor stated that I had authored a book on the subject of homosexuality and that it was anti-gay. I have never written any books on the subject, and I am grateful to San Diego Magazine for allowing me to attempt to bring clarity to this issue.

Homosexuality has been an issue of debate for thousands of years, but in recent years it has been more hotly debated than ever. I believe the intensity of these arguments is 0the result of misunderstanding.

First, God does not identify people based on their sexual behavior, so neither should we. Jesus died to save sinners, which we all are. We should not place so much focus on our behavior as our status as humans. We should recognize our own humanity and the fact that it has inherent weaknesses due to our fallen human condition. Second, God’s unconditional love for us does not mean His unconditional acceptance of our actions. Yes, God loves everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, but God’s love is being offered for one reason—to forgive. This forgiveness cleanses us of our sin resulting in the transformation of our life to one that mirrors that of Christ. Accepting the love of God with the condition that someone need not change is contrary to the purpose for which His love was offered in the first place.

Third, this argument cannot be won by humans through logic or personal philosophy. God has already spoken on the subject, and no homosexual or heterosexual person is going to change God’s intended purpose. We need to focus on loving people based on what we believe to be true, and pray that people meet God in the process.

MILES MCPHERSON
SAN DIEGO

McPherson, a former Chargers player who’s now pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego, was profiled in our September issue.—EDITOR

THE TOPS

Doctor referrals are the best indicator of ability [“Top Doctors,” October]. I feel good that my two primary doctors are on your list, along with the doctor who did my exploratory surgery two years ago. In December 2003, I was diagnosed with metastasized colon cancer, and since this was my third time with cancer, I knew I was in real trouble. After the ex- ploratory surgery, the surgeon told me there was nothing he could do and I needed to see an oncologist. My oncologist is Dr. William Stanton, another of your top doctors.

For the past 20 months I have learned what a “chemo room” is all about. The discussions in the chemo room rarely focus on the weather but more about our disease, our hopes and our lives. Dr. Stanton’s chemo rooms are always upbeat, due to his attitude about disease and the medical profession’s ability to manage some cancers. All of the patients I talked with at Dr. Stanton’s office felt his interest in their well-being and their lives. Dr. Stanton’s presence in the chemo room and the hallways brought an upbeat feeling. More than being a good doctor, Dr. Stanton is a good person.

TOM CARTER
SAN DIEGO

DANGEROUS DISEASE

By encouraging a “don’t worry, do nothing” approach and glossing over the potential for sickness and death, your October 2004 story on prostate cancer [“Facing the Fear” by Thomas K. Arnold] does a dangerous disservice to thousands of young men at risk for the disease.

A few months ago, just after my 49th birthday, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a sharp increase in my PSA and a subsequent biopsy. Doing nothing, while planning to die from something else, was not an option. A “slow-growing tumor,” were it to take 15 years to run its course, would inflict horrible pain and death by age 64—not exactly my time to go. Consider the possibility of more-aggressive cancer—not so rare in a younger patient—and that scenario might even be optimistic.

Prostate cancer statistics suggesting not to test or not to treat are based on the bulk of the cases occurring in older men who have the least to worry about from this illness. PSA tests, biopsies, surgery and radiation may be debatable after age 70, but they save the lives of 49-year-olds like me. Perhaps it’s time medical leaders think upside down: Stop debating whether testing should begin at 50, 60 or not at all, and think about the young guys who can’t afford to watch and wait. Start testing at 40. We’ll catch fewer cases, but they’ll be the ones that matter, and we’ll save lives.

I chose surgery, successfully eliminating my growing cancer. Because I’m young and otherwise healthy, the chances of lasting side effects from the treatment are far, far less than the averages suggested in your article, which are, again, based on experience in much older men.

Do not allow the controversy about this disease to make young men complacent about the threat nor unreasonably fearful of treatment. Do not underestimate prostate cancer.

KENNETH COHEN
LA JOLLA

WINTER WONDERLAND

As a new San Diego resident, I truly appreciated your article on “Weathering a San Diego Winter” [by Thomas K. Arnold, November].

While my boyfriend and his family are preparing for cold winds and freezing temperatures back on the East Coast, I am resting in my Jacuzzi under the warm sun. The days they are watching rain turn to hail, I am watching sunlight dance on the ocean waves.

While he is dashing across the Naval Academy campus as quickly as possible to avoid the snow, I am cruising to my next class in jeans, a cute tank top and my Rainbow sandals. In my opinion, the winter season doesn’t get any better than in San Diego.

I am forwarding this article to all of my loved ones on the East Coast to entice them into spending the winter with me in my beautiful city.

LINDSAY CAMPBELL
STUDENT
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

MADNESS TO METHOD?

Your September cover story [“Safe at Home” by Margie Farnsworth] had invalid ranking calculations. The article blatantly states that “our magazine’s rankings were not endorsed by the San Diego Police Department.”

Please check your sources and publish an errata stating that the statistical methodology for the rankings was incorrect, since several of the neighborhoods changed their names over the time period 2001-2004.

DAPHNE GALANG
SPRING VALLEY

San Diego police do not group violent and property crimes, and so did not endorse our methodology, which we reported for the record. But we also noted that the PD’s own expert called our rankings a “reasonable overview” of crime rates in the city. We also clearly noted that several of the 114 neighborhoods discontinued reporting in 2002 or began reporting only after 2002.—EDITOR

A NEW VIEW

I want to commend you on your Julian article, one of the most compelling in your October issue [“After the Fires” by Marcia Manna]. My wife and I visit the area every fall, but this year, we’ll see the town with new eyes and a renewed appreciation for the tenacity

E.W. STOLL
SAN DIEGO

ROLE MODEL

Your article about Benson Deng, one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan [by Deirdre O’Shea, Profile, October], was truly inspiring. I believe every student from seventh grade through the end of schooling should be required to read it.

Too many young people seem to feel the government owes them everything. Most do not have a clue what children in so many other countries go through. Well, that goes for many adults, too!

LAURETTA A. TAYLOR
BRAWLEY

Letters Welcome San Diego Magazine invites letters from its readers. Send comments to Letters to the Editor, San Diego Magazine, P.O. Box 85409, San Diego, CA 92186-5409 or to tblair@sandiegomag.com (e-mail) or 619-230-0490 (fax). Letters must be signed to be considered for publication. Please type or print your name, as well, and include a daytime phone number. E-mail should include the writer’s full name and city. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and to excerpt them.

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