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Why doesn't The Panama News talk about the injustice to the four Cuban patriots? The Cuban Community will never forget what President Moscoso is doing to our patriots!!!

Name withheld

Homosexuality is a troubling moral and social phenomenon. Due to benign interpretations of the homosexual condition itself it is increasingly being viewed as something neutral or even good. Presently it threatens to destroy the institution of marriage in Canada

No ideology, however, can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman. The natural truth about marriage was confirmed by the Revelation contained in the biblical accounts of creation (Gen. 1:27-28, Gen. 2:24). According to consistent biblical testimony concerning homosexuality, there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family. In fact, all major religions of the world consider homosexuality an objective disorder.

The arguments in favor of same-sex marriage are varied and betray a lack of "right" reason. They are little more than attempts to rationalize without thinking rationally. St. Paul must have had these people in mind when he foretold "the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, following their own desires, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears. They will stop listening to the truth and will wander off to fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-5).

Some argue that same-sex marriages are about tolerance and equality. As natural law implies, however, sexual orientation does not constitute a quality comparable to race, ethnicity, gender or age in respect to non-discrimination. An individual's sexual orientation is generally not known to others unless he publically identifies himself as having this orientation or unless some overt behavior manifests it. Unlike race, ethnic background, sex and age, homosexual orientation is an objective disorder and evokes moral concern. In suggesting otherwise one is merely exploiting "tolerance" in the service of a particular ideology. The equality issue begs the question, why not the right to allow brothers to marry sisters and adults to marry children? More to the point, why not allow polygamy?

Those who support homosexuality under the banner of equality are also quick to condemn, as hypocritical, the religious belief that admonishes humans to "love the sinner but hate the sin." Logic dictates, however, that a failure to make such a distinction would require one to approve other and all disordered "inclinations" such as pedophilia --- if for no other reason than that they are human "inclinations."

Another popular argument is that same-sex unions can in no way be the cause of any injustice to others. As a civil law, however, they cannot help but play a decisive role in shaping both the thought and behavior of individuals and society. Legal recognition of same-sex unions would act to obscure basic moral values causing a devaluation of the institution of marriage.

Where adopted children are involved in same-sex marriages, they are deprived of the experience of either fatherhood or motherhood and hence the opportunity for full human development.

Perhaps the most rash yet typical of fallacies put forth by those in favor of same sex unions involves blaming "selective" institutions like the Catholic Church for the failing of some of its members. Issues like child abuse are often exaggerated, then exploited in order to win converts not by debate but by force. Almost without exception these arguments betray little or no real understanding of Church doctrine.

Men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation. Nonetheless, homosexual acts must be considered wrong because they close the sexual act to the gift of life. Procreation, while not the only purpose of marriage, is nonetheless essential to the institution. The fact that some married couples do not have children either because of infertility or personal decision does not determine the purpose of marriage. Exceptions do not invalidate but prove the rule; individual practices do not invalidate the objectives of an institution; variations do not nullify a norm.

Marriage exists solely between a man and a woman who through their personal gift of self to each other, perfect one another into a communion of persons. This human development of the spouses and the proper nurturing of children who are the fruit of such unions makes an immense contribution to the common good of society. One does not need to have any particular religion to recognize this, or that the family based on marriage is the best way to bring up happy, productive children.

In rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality one does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood.

While the Canadian government is working to legalize same-sex marriages I hope that lawyers and politicians of other nations will have the greater foresight and fortitude; that they work to uphold the institution of marriage as it is defined and not deconstruct it to appear as merely an expression of free love.

Paul Kokoski
Hamilton, Ontario

Hello! We hope that your doing fine!

We thank you all for this Panama News website.

I have been living in USA about seven years, and I still wonder about my Panama. I love it! I met my husband there in Panama. After one year we got married.

I went to visit my family and enjoyed last February's 2003 Carnival there. Every little moment I enjoyed --- everything.

Panama is rich compared to other countries. Brazil and Panam are the only two country on the Continent, that people from all around the world, like to go and enjoy the fiesta. W hope that Panama continues growing in the tourist and cultural sectors with big investment from the USA and other Countries too.

We also like to hear from you all about support and try to teach about theater and animation. Not only at special shows, but outside, in the city at the Mercados and Plazas.

We love you Panama!

Yanela Andersen

For some time I have been searching for a friend from the 1960s. His name is Dr. Alicio Rivera Iglesias and I have been told that he practiced medicine at Hospital Santo Tomas in Panama in the late 70s. If you could offer any help, I would appreciate your help. We went to the same college in NE Texas. Thank you for your help.

Sydney Patton

I am delighted to discover your newspaper, thanks to a referral in a travel book. As a former resident of Panama, I enjoyed the contact, noting some things have not changed over the years. Many years ago, as a youngster, I worked for the English side of a radio station operated by the, then, Pan-American Broadcasting System; all 250 fuzzy watts, coast-to-coast. Great fun!!!

On another subject, could you refer me to someone in Pese, or someone who could assist me in locating a family there. Contact with them has been lost over the years, and I would very much like to determine their welfare. Thank you for the news.

Best regards,

Allen Jones

I am here in Connecticut writing on behalf of an elderly Panamanian couple that came here about a year ago to be with their son and daughter-in-law. Things are not working out for them. They do not have the money to return to Panama where they have a home. They are seeking work to make enough money to move or return home (and to eat). At the age of 75+ and not speaking English and not literate they are in an impossible situation. I do not personally have the funds that I could put them on a plane and send them home. Do you have any suggestion? They do not need to be here struggling to survive. I hope they can get out of here before another bad winter hits. I appreciate any and all assistance and recommendations.

Respectfully,

Lydia
(203) 389-7517

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