Go Back
to Shy David's Austin Miles Page.
Rev. Austin Miles
October 15, 1995
Dear Austin,
Thank you once again for the "newsletter." It continues to be a great source of amusement and amazement for me and my co-workers, peers (and here you thought I was peerless), and my cyber-parishioners. We especially enjoyed the comical claim that one of your readers likened what passes for your wit as to Samuel L Clemins--- if you think you are a wit, well, you're only half right.
But I did not write to castigate you, but to praise you. Well, maybe just a little castigation. Since we both know of your complete lack of scruples and honesty when it comes to writing your "newsletter," I have instigated a WASIS search to collect data on the story, so that I may compare the facts with your creative version. The results have not yet come in. However:
My praise to you is for your squawk over the "kidnapping" of a sick child by the state. The state has no right forcing a child to receive medical treatment over the protests of the child's parents. There were a great many cases in California where children were allowed to die in unimaginable agony and misery because their parents were Christians and did not believe in contemporary medical treatment. In every case that I am aware of, parents in California (and Colorado, i.e. the Davies) who were put on trail for allowing their children to die in a horror of pain and suffering were acquitted. They are protected under Section 270's "other treatment" clause (CAPTA 1974) and AB3843 (J.T. Knox, 1976). I could cite a dozen cases where the state stood back and did nothing while Christian parents, claiming religious exemptions, watched their child suffer and die. Based upon precedent, the city of Byron had no right to try and save the child. I sincerely commend you for your moral outrage on this issue.
Now for the castigation part (and believe me, it's hard work being your conscience and moral compass, so I hope you appreciate my efforts on your behalf).
Your "newsletter" asserted that there is a "alternative treatment for cancer including herb therapy which has been proved amazingly effective." WHERE, exactly, is the evidence for this astonishing discovery? Which peer-reviewed, refereed journals have published this "amazing alternative?" What duplicated, double-blind studies have been performed?
There is only one type of cancer that I am aware of that can be treated (not cured) with "herbs:" a benign epidermal carcinoma. That was clearly not the case in the Duarte incident.
Are you aware of the legal problems you may put yourself in by making such a bizarre assertion? I eagerly await your references to this "amazingly effective" herbal treatment.
On to more enlightening issues. When I read your creative, fictionalized account of something called the "Institute for First Amendment Studies," and one Skip Porteous, I knew I had to run out and find these people. Judging by your past lies and deceptions, I knew that anyone you complain and wail about is probably a decent person, and it seems that this is true in the IFAS case. I have briefly corresponded with mister Porteous, and he seems to be kind, decent, intelligent, well-informed, a clear thinker, hard-working, and dedicated to religious freedom--- maybe that's why you appear to despised him so: opposites don't always attract, eh, Austin?
At any rate, I subscribed to the IFAS newsletters, and I have received the back-issues (electronically), and have read them all. Funny, but whereas you labeled his newsletter as "anti-Christian," I have observed that it is anti-fascist and not in the least bit "anti-Christian." Perhaps you have just confused fascism with Christianity. Maybe in your mind the two are the same. I dunno. I'm sure Skip et al would thank you for telling me about them. I know I sure do.
On a lighter note. . . .
Tell me, friend Austin, does the Evangelical Press Association require you to take an oath of honesty? Do they have a code of ethics? If so, what do they think of the lies you publish in your newsletter? Would you mind if I sent to them decisive, definitive proof that you lied? Or would you rather I did not? Come on, Austin, this is your conscience speaking. Be a good fellow and confess. It's good for your soul (if you can get it back from Satan--- I have my doubts).
You're backslidin' again, Austin. Backslidin' into the Cult of Man; backslidin' into the slime of Churchianity. You have surrendered to Satan and call that a "victory." Since when has lying for the greater glory of God been okay, Austin? Will it go well for you when God examines you?
By the way, you must have missed this somehow:
JOB 13
[4] But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
[5] O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
[6] Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
[7] Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
[8] Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
[9] Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
[10] He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
[11] Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
[12] Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
Repent, Austin. Repent, or I'll be forced to reconsider sending another five cents to your ministry next year.
Go Back
to Shy David's Austin Miles Page.