Vidhya Shanker's editorial, "I'll take a pass on the spirituality potluck" [MWP July 28-Aug. 10, 2004] was thought-provoking but disturbing. The very idea that a wisdom tradition can be owned by an individual or group of individuals and therefore can be misappropriated and wrongly consumed seems fundamentally flawed. The implication that one's spirituality is only acceptable if "the community is comfortable with your participation" is absurd. Ms. Shanker is not addressing spirituality at all. She is addressing religion: organized, institutionalized, ritualized, exclusive, and she uses the same kind of proprietary language that conservative Christianity uses to exclude anyone who won't toe the party line, such as Christian homosexuals.
Yes, it is important to respect the traditions and rituals that are precious to adherents of all religious traditions. Yes, it is important to be as informed as we can about the wisdom and teachings of other faiths. But, ultimately, there is something much more important.
It is part of the universal human condition to seek connection with God, the Higher Power, The One That Cannot Be Named. It is a deeply personal, intimate, often confusing journey and I think God is rather open-minded about each of us finding what speaks to us most.
Holly DavisBloomington
Rebel hearts
Thank you for the moving article by Haddayr Copley-Woods about the loss of her father. [MWP Aug. 11-24, 2004] Being a rebel at heart, I especially identified with her learning to defy authority. It was a very consciousness-raising piece.
Marge AdkissonEagan
In a woman's world
In a world of women's magazines that leave young women with strong doubts of self worth, your paper empowers women and makes the reader think out of the socially acceptable box.
There needs to be more out there for young women other than, "Will Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears ever rekindle the flame?" Or "What's hot for fall fashion."
I have yet to find a more daring paper as the Minnesota Women's Press in my hometown. I hope one day I don't need to search at all, but rather everywhere I look I'll see a feminist paper.
Keep up the good work.
Kelsey SchultzExcelsior
The price of romance
The article [Antidote to Romance MWP Aug. 11-24] lacked at least one item that should be included in pre-nuptual agreements. Retirement plans were missing. Defined benefit plans (pensions) and defined contribution plans (401k, 403b, etc.) have unique rules. Most retirement plans must offer joint distribution plans and/or survivor annuities. However, a pre-nup cannot cover retirement plans because only a spouse can waive his or her rights. One is not a spouse until after the wedding, hence retirement plans won't be covered by a pre-nup.
Consider adding language to a pre-nup such as: "After the wedding, Steven Jones agrees to sign any forms required to remove his interest from Sally Smith's retirement assets."
For gay and lesbian clients, agreements should permit separate property now and in the future (e.g., presents), how to handle joint assets, and finally, how to split up joint assets, and items brought into the relationship.
