I don’t see the problem here. He doesn’t say that he’s rolling in luxury or having the time of his life What he describes sounds like a pretty ordinary 21st century prison experience, plus a positive attitude. “Plenty of time for reading” = “nothing else to do.” They have some recreation,once a week. He gets cheap, filling but uninteresting food that he does not love and that does not agree with him.
I don’t mind in the least that his prison experience seems reasonably comfortable and is in beautiful natural surroundings. I would not want any prisoner to be treated badly. I think what troubles me is that I do not see in this report any trace of contrition. I am troubled that when he talks about the harvest being ripe and the laborers few, he gives the impression that he is there, not as a criminal who deserves his sentence, but as a missionary to the others. Perhaps I am being unfair, but I do not get any sense that he… Read more »
But this is a second-hand report of what he said. You don’t know what else he didn’t say. Whatever tone is there, isn’t Jamin’s tone. “he is there, not as a criminal who deserves his sentence, but as a missionary to the others.” Those are not exclusive categories. A criminal who knows he deserves his sentence can nonetheless believe he is called to use the time to call others to Christ. Since this is only one letter, written not by Jamin, but by someone reporting on his contact with Jamin, and you don’t know the content of anything else he… Read more »
Reminds me of “The Clicking of Cuthbert,” my favorite Wodehouse story. :)
Ryan Sather
9 years ago
Letter written to church members asking for prayer for the person who abused Natalie Greenfield #soytrouble #thisiscrazy From: Trinity Reformed Church Date: Jul 27, 2006 at 7:20 AM Subject: Jamin Update To: TRC Jamin Update Jamin says that he is physically well and very happy, growing more content each day. He says, “It didn’t take me very long to see that God has a definite purpose in my being here. The harvest is ready and the laborers are few.” Jamin says it’s a beautiful location. They occasionally play softball on Saturdays among other opportunities for recreation. There is plenty of… Read more »
Matthew 5 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than… Read more »
That gospel thing really gets in the way of hating people who do really bad stuff, doesn’t it? If only we could just go on treating fellow sinners as sub-human based on our personal ratings of their sins.
Ryan, here are a couple of thoughts to help you sort this out. 1. While I thought the manner of Peter Leithart’s Facebook apology a few months ago was unhelpful (because of how it would be used), I had no trouble accepting the substance of Peter’s apology at face value. It was, I believe, this kind of thing that was addressed by his apology. 2. If the apology is accepted, then this ought not to be thrown at the current session of TRC, which has been doing its job with real integrity. If the apology is accepted, as I have… Read more »
"A" dad
9 years ago
Desperate pseudo-critics: Aim wide.
“We do a lot of amazing work throwing the darts at people who don’t merit the darts.”
Well,…. the “work” of Slither and others is actually pretty amazing! In an embarrassing sort of way. ; – )
Please tell me this is a fraudulent letter Doug http://moscowid.net/2015/12/03/jamin-wight-update-from-north-idaho-correctional-institution-to-trc/
Should we be happy that his prison experience was so enjoyable? I’ve read unhappier letters from expensive summer camps.
It’s honestly disgusting and gives a really awful picture into how those in power viewed the offense.
But hopefully prayer were answered and he was able to get some gluten free options and avoid that soy filler!
I don’t see the problem here. He doesn’t say that he’s rolling in luxury or having the time of his life What he describes sounds like a pretty ordinary 21st century prison experience, plus a positive attitude. “Plenty of time for reading” = “nothing else to do.” They have some recreation,once a week. He gets cheap, filling but uninteresting food that he does not love and that does not agree with him.
What exactly do you find problematic about it?
I don’t mind in the least that his prison experience seems reasonably comfortable and is in beautiful natural surroundings. I would not want any prisoner to be treated badly. I think what troubles me is that I do not see in this report any trace of contrition. I am troubled that when he talks about the harvest being ripe and the laborers few, he gives the impression that he is there, not as a criminal who deserves his sentence, but as a missionary to the others. Perhaps I am being unfair, but I do not get any sense that he… Read more »
But this is a second-hand report of what he said. You don’t know what else he didn’t say. Whatever tone is there, isn’t Jamin’s tone. “he is there, not as a criminal who deserves his sentence, but as a missionary to the others.” Those are not exclusive categories. A criminal who knows he deserves his sentence can nonetheless believe he is called to use the time to call others to Christ. Since this is only one letter, written not by Jamin, but by someone reporting on his contact with Jamin, and you don’t know the content of anything else he… Read more »
Slither, you asked the above, to the person who actually wrote the letter, right?
Please post that inquiry. The Leitharts are on face book.
Even you could probably find them! ; – )
Reminds me of “The Clicking of Cuthbert,” my favorite Wodehouse story. :)
Letter written to church members asking for prayer for the person who abused Natalie Greenfield #soytrouble #thisiscrazy From: Trinity Reformed Church Date: Jul 27, 2006 at 7:20 AM Subject: Jamin Update To: TRC Jamin Update Jamin says that he is physically well and very happy, growing more content each day. He says, “It didn’t take me very long to see that God has a definite purpose in my being here. The harvest is ready and the laborers are few.” Jamin says it’s a beautiful location. They occasionally play softball on Saturdays among other opportunities for recreation. There is plenty of… Read more »
#hashtagsnotontwitterarepointless
Didn’t Peter Leihart already apoogize for this?
I have the nagging suspicion you’re really JP, hiding behind the pseudonym “Ryan Sather”.
Matthew 5 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than… Read more »
That gospel thing really gets in the way of hating people who do really bad stuff, doesn’t it? If only we could just go on treating fellow sinners as sub-human based on our personal ratings of their sins.
Ryan, here are a couple of thoughts to help you sort this out. 1. While I thought the manner of Peter Leithart’s Facebook apology a few months ago was unhelpful (because of how it would be used), I had no trouble accepting the substance of Peter’s apology at face value. It was, I believe, this kind of thing that was addressed by his apology. 2. If the apology is accepted, then this ought not to be thrown at the current session of TRC, which has been doing its job with real integrity. If the apology is accepted, as I have… Read more »
Desperate pseudo-critics: Aim wide.
“We do a lot of amazing work throwing the darts at people who don’t merit the darts.”
Well,…. the “work” of Slither and others is actually pretty amazing! In an embarrassing sort of way. ; – )