Ryan Brothers – the new Jerry Schad

Schad fan finds peer

Kudos to Ryan Brothers for his great article “ROAM” about his trek to Lawson Peak. (“Two hikers on the ascent to Lawson Peak and two on the way down,” Nov. 10)

I would surely take this hike if years hadn’t taken a toll on the knees. But then this piece really takes you there step for step. I have, in the past, taken many “hikes” that were put to this forum by Jerry Schad — RIP. I hope to see many more articles like this here by Mr. Ryan.

• Randall Mattes
• OSide

Another 50th

It was 1972 when Reader began. (“The Reader at 50, Oct. 13). I was new to San Diego and took advantage of your Free Classifieds. My ad was: “Good people of San Diego, I need a friend. No lovelorns please. Orphan Annie 233-4456.” I received hundreds of phone calls. Yes, even then, it wasn’t supposed to be wise to give out phone numbers. But, all of the callers were terrific.

This note to Reader is to let you know that one of those callers and I are celebrating or 50th anniversary of the best friendship. Thank you, Reader!

• Leslie Weidner
• Golden Hill

Love thy body

I’d like to address the article regarding the Encinitas Unified School District’s website advertising the Boo Bash (“Encinitas parents debate drag shows for school children,” Nov. 3). The issue is the underpinning worldview. Nancy Pearcey’s Love Thy Body builds upon the dichotomy articulated by Dr. Francis Schaeffer. He compares it to two stories in a home. Values or morality in the upper story over facts or science.

Transgenderism is the postmodern worldview of gender as a product of social forces over the modernism of sexuality as a material form or body. It doesn’t correspond with reality. Pearcey writes, “Contrary to what postmodern gender theory says, there is greater diversity and inclusivity when we anchor our psychosocial identity in the scientifically knowable reality of our biology as male or female.”

The historic Christian worldview assigns greater value and dignity to the body. We don’t need the upper story of subjective freedom from our bodies to find our true selves. We should celebrate our bodies as a good gift from God. Instead of escaping from the body but living in integrated harmony with it.

• Mark A. Peter
• Solana Beach