MAILBOX Reader disagrees with Goddess facts Dear Editor: The article about ‘Goddess Worshippers” appears to be a “news report,’’ but actually con- tains a number of glaring inac- curacies. For example, it is totally false to state that female deities were wor- shipped for ‘thousands of years’’ before male gods. Mother goddess worship was frequently associated with ‘‘sacred’’ prostitution to promote crop fertility — hardly a feminist image! Also, the two-word quote lifted out of Tertullian's writings by no means fairly represents his attitude to women. Having read all his works, i can assure you that. My concern is not so much his- torical accuracy but the false and deceptive views of the true Creator God. No one needs to rest their lives and spiritual understanding on ideas of God that are totally false when God Himself longs to make Himself known to each one of us as He really is. On Mother’s Day, I was at a Christian church in the Fraser Valley where six young mothers shared their experiences ef God as He has healed their hurts and enabled them to reach out in love, not only to their own children, but also to other hurting kids and adults. What was especially poi- gnant was that two of them were single moms and two others had recently lost a young child. It is tragic that your source for the article experienced such a neg- ative portrayal in her youth of God and turned to spurious So- -called “nurturing nature spirits.”’ I would urge her to take up a Bible and read such passages as Isaiah 49:15-16, 66:12-13, Matthew 23:37, Luke 19:41-44 where God reveals not only His strong father love but also a love that is even more tender than that of the most nurturing human mothers. God is neither male nor female and His holy love is whole and perfect whereas we, each only dim- ly reflecting a part of His image, need each other for balance and wholeness. The love of the true God is not merely a theoretical abstraction but a dynamic reality today to many people — even here on the North Shore. John Redworth North Vancouver (Ed. note: Overwhelming ar- cheological evidence indicates that a female deity was worshipped for nearly 30,000 years, beginning in the Late Paleolithic period. By describing elements of the diverse religions found in our multicultural society, Spiritually Speaking seeks to bring to its readers a greater understanding and tolerance of faiths held by people of differing viewpoints.) Salvation Army thanks canvassers Dear Editor: As one of the district leaders help- ing to organize the annual Salva- _ tion Army Red Shield Appeal on the North Shore, I would like to thank all those volunteers who knocked on doors seeking dona- tions to fund the work of the Ar- my. Without those hundreds of can- vassers, and the zone and area Jeaders who gave so much of their News Mailbox policy WHEN SENDING a letter to the editor, be sure to include your name, written legibly, your full address and your telephone number. ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors s Personal Injury AFTER HOURS [FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION FAX 645-8989 [986-4366 | 986-9286 #3001401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. Due to space constraints we cannot publish all the letters we receive. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, accura- cy, legality or taste. Summertime is fan time and a good time to get ahead stat on the schoo! year. Just a couple of hours a week this summer at a Sylvan Learning Centre* can help your child do better this fall in subjects @ ranging from and writ- A ing tobasic math and algebra. ©1090 Syivan Lares, Corporanun RICHMOND 273-3266 COQUITLAM 941-9166 NORTH SHORE 985-6811 READING | MATH ° WRITING + STUDY SKILLS - GEBRA BEGINNING READING : time during the preceding three months, the appeal would fail. To all of them I say: perhaps it will be your friend or family member who needs support from one of the Salvation Army’s many programs some time in the future — and that help will be available because you chose to assist the Salvation Army now. Perhaps you will need that help yourself. 1 look forward to working with you next year. Alyson Witts North Vancouver a Divorce 7 ~ Sunday, June 10, 1990 —- North Shore News GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TREASURY 3 15 0, * BILLS upto 1),L) 10 CALL ROD CLARK WALWYN STODGELL COCHRAN MURRAY LTD. 669-6262 *3 mth Tbills. Subject to availability & minimum requirement. a rN John Lakes w Maintenance wm James L. Straith w Custody @ William J. Rodgers w Separation LAWYERS 202-1217 Lonsdale North Vancouver Agreements CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $6.50 per panel unlined, $7.50 lined. CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE £