God

Thank God for Joan and Don. Without their lunchtime escape from the office, replete with witty, sexy banter, this episode, the worst of the season, would have been pointless. Nothing else quite worked here, in what clearly was a transitional throwaway leading up to the final few episodes this season. I, for one, do not care about Lane's financial issues (though, surely him forging Don's signature on a check to pay debts will come back to bite him). Anything involving Harry is sort of blah, even though his subplot this week brought back and old friend, Paul Kinsey, who has, ahem, gone through some changes.

The greatest commencement address ever is now more than three decades old. And it's safe to say it will never be surpassed or even equaled. It belongs to the ages. In 1979, its author summed up the condition of modern man by noting that, quote, more than at any other time in history, humanity is at the crossroads: One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness; the other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. Unquote. Bang. That's all she wrote.

Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton on Sunday morning emotionally addressed Baltimore's Empowerment Temple, the church of the Rev. Jamal Bryant who has been at her side as national outcry has built over her son's death. "It's so easy for me to cry right now but I can't because I have work to do," she told the congregation. "I was forced into this position, but I believe God is using me. " Martin, 17, was shot to death in February in Sanford, Fla., returning home after a trip to get snacks at a 7-Eleven.

Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton on Sunday morning emotionally addressed Baltimore's Empowerment Temple, the church of the Rev. Jamal Bryant who has been at her side as national outcry has built over her son's death. "It's so easy for me to cry right now but I can't because I have work to do," she told the congregation. "I was forced into this position, but I believe God is using me. " Martin, 17, was shot to death in February in Sanford, Fla., returning home after a trip to get snacks at a 7-Eleven.

If Maryland becomes a same-sex marriage state, there is no doubt that some openly gay men and women will come to church demanding acceptance. Under the false pretense that they are married, in their minds they should not be denied church membership. But what the world must understand is that as Christians, we're not homophobic and bigoted as many would depict us. We do not hate men and women caught up in the homosexual lifestyle. We simply believe that marriage is ordained of God and the family is sacred.

The recent letter from R. Smith ("The flawed arguments against same-sex marriage," Feb. 6) is false and disingenuous. The logic is fallacious because the examples do not define the object, in this case the Biblical definition of marriage. The bad examples and failures do not change marriage as between one man and one woman. And they do not justify changing marriage to include same-sex couples. God had a lot to say about marriage. Most specifically, in the beginning, God created humans as male and female.

Regarding your recent editorial on school boards and whether they should be elected or appointed ("A better school board," Aug. 5), I am reminded of an old story that's worth repeating. God wanted to create a fool during the days of creation, but decided that he first needed some practice, so he created school boards! Fredrick Matos, Annapolis

John Pielmeier's theological thriller "Agnes of God" is more interested in questions than in answers. Even if you've seen a few productions of this drama since its Broadway debut in 1982, you may not be sure what to make of the central mystery that's once again explored in a solid production at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre. The playwright's immaculate conception for his play involves a young nun whose secret pregnancy prompts an investigation to learn which men would have had access to the cloistered convent.

God doesn't think he's a doctor. Surely you know that ancient wheeze. It comes to mind because the Associated Press Stylebook editors at the American Copy Editors Society's national conference in New Orleans last week restated their preference to restrict the use of the term Dr. to M.D.s and osteopaths. And, I think, dentists. Oh, and veterinarians. (Chiropractors can go roll a hoop.) Why people who spend the workday probing into other people's orifices are more worthy of dignity and respect than someone who has mastered quantum mechanics or Babylonian cuneiform continues to baffle me. But then, I was ten years in universities where Doctor was a more common form of direct address than dude .* I'm fairly sure that at one point at The Baltimore Sun we established that the courtesy title could be applied to any person possessing an earned doctorate.

According to the book of Genesis, the core of the devil's temptation of Adam and Eve was the suggestion that they would become like gods, knowing good and evil. Last Friday's decision by the Maryland House of Delegates is only one of several recent attempts by legislatures, courts and government executives to act like gods, redefining good and evil. How much longer will it be before they start acting like Roman emperors, demanding that we worship them as gods? Charles Roswell, Columbia

Pastors are charged with the heavy responsibility of leading His people to experience God's saving grace. We must fervently defend God's word with strength and humility. Our burden is light because we are powerless. All the power in this world derives from God's love. I am moved to pray to truly know God's law. In Leviticus 20:22 God teaches us to obey his law. Every pastor has read the Bible's 12 passages with terms commonly identified with homosexuality. I pray we learn to love to learn the contextual truths of the Bible.

In response to the letter from Fred D. Murray of Pikesville ("God will punish President Obama for endorsing same-sex marriage," May 12): No Fred, President Barack Obama will not go to hell for accepting same-sex marriage, because there is no hell. Actually, there is no heaven or a god to run the place! Gods were created by the human mind to placate the fears of the cave dwellers who were scared to death about lightning, thunder and floods. The idea of controlling groups of people caught on and continues today for the convenience of folks in high places.

I listened to President Obama's decision to back gay marriage with disbelief and disappointment ("Obama endorses gay marriage," May 10). As someone who voted for him in the hope he would be a great leader, I am dismayed that he lacks the moral fortitude to lead. I am neither Democrat or Republican. I vote for who I perceive is the best person for leadership. I was fooled once, but I won't get fooled again. Mr. Obama, who has on numerous occasions said that he is Christian, apparently believes that the Bible was written only for some of us and not all. God has clearly said that He is against same-sex marriages.

Three important things happened on Sunday's episode of"Game of Thrones. " 1) Somebody stole Daenerys Targaryen's dragons.  2) The traitor Theon Greyjoy sacked Wintefell. 3) And The Hound's badass quotient went up by about eighty.   First things first: If Daenerys Targaryen's three baby dragons are the metaphorical equivalent of the atomic bomb, we've got some rogue nukes out there in the east. Dany spent the episode, entitled "The Old Gods and the New," trying to buy ships and an army for her triumphant return to the Seven Kingdoms, only to return home to Xaro Xhoan Daxos' palace to find her prized possessions stolen and many of her men slain.

News Roundup •••• Some extremely juicy details about the exciting “God of War: Ascension” have surfaced, with some nuts and bolts of how the new multiplayer mode will function. Add this to your list of “reasons I own a PS3.” [ USA Today ] ••••  Evidence is pointing to the first bit of long-awaited “Skyrim” DLC being a) not far off and b) having something to do with Snow Elves and crossbows. Let's be honest, the “Skyrim” DLC could be anything and we'd all buy it sight unseen.

On Sunday, I attended mass with my 79-year-old grandmother. Two months ago, she lost her husband, my grandfather. Ever since that day, she could not have a more positive attitude about moving onward in her life. This strength she so fervently displays day to day, she wholeheartedly attributes to her faith. As her top admirer, and as someone who had considered herself a faithful Catholic for much of her life, I decided to begin attending church again to discover this unyielding faith my grandmother seems to possess.

It amazes me how many people have no fear of God. We have a short time on Earth and then we have all eternity to spend either in heaven or hell. So many politicians are eager to pass a gay marriage bill ( "On the brink of gay marriage in Maryland," Feb. 16). So many politicians support abortion. Either they don't believe in God, or they don't believe God. The Ten Commandants were given us for a reason. A lot of people are going to have a rude awakening when they die. Tim Weber, Baltimore

Teresa Cherry was out running errands when she saw the question floating over Interstate 95. "Are you good without God?" the electronic billboard asked. "Millions are." The Baltimore woman does not believe in the existence of a supreme being. And in that moment, she did not feel so alone. "My friend and I were just discussing a few days ago whether or not there was a community of others like us in Baltimore," said the 28-year-old Cherry, a student at the Community College of Baltimore County.

God doesn't think he's a doctor. Surely you know that ancient wheeze. It comes to mind because the Associated Press Stylebook editors at the American Copy Editors Society's national conference in New Orleans last week restated their preference to restrict the use of the term Dr. to M.D.s and osteopaths. And, I think, dentists. Oh, and veterinarians. (Chiropractors can go roll a hoop.) Why people who spend the workday probing into other people's orifices are more worthy of dignity and respect than someone who has mastered quantum mechanics or Babylonian cuneiform continues to baffle me. But then, I was ten years in universities where Doctor was a more common form of direct address than dude .* I'm fairly sure that at one point at The Baltimore Sun we established that the courtesy title could be applied to any person possessing an earned doctorate.

The article ("Keeping the faith?" April 6) concerning the Orioles opening day on Good Friday included comments made by various people. One, in particular, states that his tradition of going to church on Good Friday has gone by the wayside. He stated, "life is too busy," and he will be in the stands for the Camden Yards opener. This is a sad commentary on the times we live in. We are too busy to spend some time with God, but we can find time to indulge our pleasures. Rudolph Zanella, Catonsville