Believers and Unbelievers

I am an atheist who supports the right to believe in God, the Devil, or anything else, as long as it does not intrude on me. Having read Siobhan Braun’s story on the goings on in my park (“Atheists, Evangelists, and Prophets take over Balboa Park,” March 27 cover story), I found the usual arguments between atheists and theists that fail to produce the only correct conclusion: No one is actually aware of why they believe as they do.

We are all products of our conditioning; the fruit of our upbringing. Only when one is in doubt is one open to solicitation. In the park, the only people responding to any camp are those already believers, and unbelievers don’t have a choice; they simply cannot accept belief. It’s that simple!

Proselytizing is the practice of acquiring positive re-enforcement of one’s belief. It is an intrusion on people in parks who is are there to escape tension and enjoy the day.

Krishna followers, I believe, are there to raise money on which to live, as well as for their cause.

I want to see the day when religion — pro or con — is kept out of any public park or street.

The battle among believers who can’t reject belief, and those who can’t accept belief is a no-win thing. Atheists are wrong to fight religion; most people need it, and must reject the idea that non-belief is valid.

Let them be.

• Saul Harmon Gritz
• Hillcrest

Live and Let Live

Why should anyone visiting one of the world’s most beautiful urban parks be subjected to this traffic of proselytizing (“Atheists, Evangelists, and Prophets take over Balboa Park,” March 27 cover story)? It’s intrusive and offensive.

Yes, I know all about Jesus and the Bible. No, I’m not interested in discussing it, and I find it inhuman that someone would assume that because I’m not an Evangelical Christian, I need to be saved (as my husband would say, we Jews were saved... 5,000 years ago).

I am all for people embracing faith, or embracing rationality, or worshipping Aqua Buddha. I just don’t want to have to deal with it when I visit the park, and I don’t feel that a banner or sign is an enhancement to the park’s beautiful architecture.

It should be pointed out that this same insistence on imposing one’s private beliefs in the park is a paradigm for what is happening to us nationally, and other countries internationally. There’s little difference between someone feeling it’s not just their right, but their obligation to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us, whether this is happening by the Prado or in front of the Supreme Court.

When did the need to testify become more important than live and let live, and when did the notion of religious freedom become defined by denying the freedoms of anyone who disagrees with you?

Balboa Park — like the rest of the world — should be a haven for everyone to privately, freely, and proudly practice their own faith (or not), and to have the basic decency to respect the rights of others.

• Elizabeth Schwartz
• Mission Hills

San Diego’s Five Critical Issues

Once again Don Bauder offers an article I believe everyone in San Diego should read (City Lights, “San Diego Water: You Will Pay,” March 27). As someone whose education and career involved studying urban environments, I’ve come up with a list of five critical issues for San Diego’s future.

That list includes: fresh water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, infrastructure delivery (those aged water and sewer pipes — and possibly gas lines — which continue to fail), and our public education system (California statewide has fallen from the top five in the U.S. to the bottom five in test score measures). Mr. Bauder backs up number one. Admittedly, the sequence within this list can change from time to time but the issues remain the same.

I understand that potential funding resources may have specific strings attached, but how can our city leaders continue to promote and support public funding for sports stadiums and convention facility expansions when we have five such important issues that go without being better addressed year after year?

• Tim
• La Jolla

New Appreciation for Opera

This letter is in response to Don Bauder’s articles on the tragic closing of the San Diego Opera.

I have been exposed to the talent and wonder of the opera over the last few years. And, while opera is not normally my cup of tea, the operas put on by San Diego have been amazing. Some of the credit does go to Ian Campbell as artistic director, but it takes a team — and that team of artists, costume designers, set designers, marketing, and orchestra are all incredibly talented. It is a huge loss to San Diego.

That all being said, the nice piece of spin Mr. Bauder has included in each of his articles has an obvious goal: protecting and defending the very people responsible for the Opera closing – Ian and Ann Campbell, along with the Board.

As a person whose life will be impacted by the Campbell/Board decision, I have watched and witnessed the team work tirelessly to try to continually create a successful and enjoyable opera season for all its patrons — nights, weekends, after hours. Staff members were aware of the falling ticket sales, every day, and all tried to come up with new, innovative, and creative ways to touch the larger San Diego audience, not just the wealthy and grey-haired.

I have stayed silent because of fear of retribution from the Campbells. But I have finally reached my limit as these articles do not portray the true culture, atmosphere, and environment in which the staff and artists lived in. Mr. Bauder’s “inside” opera story is not an inside story at all, but an attempt by the Board and the Campbells at damage control and self-preservation.

I have witnessed the talented opera staff make attempts to be innovative, creative, and adventurous in getting a younger, new, and changing demographic to experience the opera and the arts. However, the Campbells have a reputation for demoralizing, overriding, and silencing any staff effort to do so. For the past 3-5 years, the creative staff and artists have been trained to simply do what the Campbells want and stay silent or deal with the consequences.

At this time, there are claims against Mr. Campbell for creating a hostile work environment towards his staff. And, honestly, it is sickening to see Mr. Bauder placate to the Board or the Campbells, because they alone are responsible for the decline in sales and the decision to close.

Some of the board members reached out to staff to get their perspective, yet none of that is coming out. A majority of the staff have no confidence in the Campbells’ leadership or vision – because, quite simply, there is none. They have both enjoyed a very fat salary and wonderful benefits, but have provided nothing worthy of what they have earned. The mantra of “we tried that and it didn’t work” killed any level of creativity or excitement any staff member had.

Further, the Campbells have worked very hard to blame some of their staff for decisions they personally made – which is where I have had to draw the line. If you do not like the ideas or do not want to try something new or different, then stand by that. But, to use these weak excuses, try to be the victim, or blame staff who only do what leadership tells them to do (there is no creative license at all) is a true testament of their leadership.

It is well known the economy plays a role. As such, it takes strong and creative vision to come up with new ways to remain alive, vibrant, and engaging to the community as a whole – not just the rich that line your pocket and feed your ego. Traditional opera is not a huge draw in this day and age, which is where Ian and Ann Campbell are comfortable and experienced. They are not willing to step out of their comfort zone and risk failure, which was the final curtain call anyway.

The real reason the opera is closing is for self-preservation. For Ms. Cohn to deny that as a key reason is dishonest. And, to defend the huge salary for both Ian and Ann with the extravagant benefits is ridiculous. If these people loved the opera so much, why not take a pay cut or take away the free cars and travel until it gets back on its feet? Why the Board simply did not vote to replace the Campbells, work to figure out ways to financially restructure, and build again from the ground up is a pressing question. The quick decision to close is due to the Campbells working to silence the ever-growing dissenters and work to take their money and run. The arrogance, greed, and ego of the opera leadership and Board is the core issue. Why not allow another opera director a chance to see what can be done or try to recreate like in Dallas? Why not listen to the one dissenter – that board member may have some ideas!

I am disappointed that the truth is getting swept under the rug. These articles work to generate sympathy for the Campbells, portray them as the victims when all of this is their own doing and the real victims are the staff, the artists, tourists, and the City of San Diego. How about we as the City of San Diego request a new artistic director and new general manager (at a reasonable salary and benefits) who appreciates the arts, and see if can be turned around? Compensate them if they generate revenue and are successful, thriving, and alive.

Now I read that one of the board members is trying to start a new opera. Where was he and where was his voice when these ideas needed to be pushed forth? Or is it his attempt to gain the headlines and feed his ego as well? It is not the opera or the arts that are dying but those that are so greedy and arrogant that think only “they” can make it a success. Such is the culture of the country — the wealthy want all the credit of success; but bail, blame, or beg for help when they fail miserably. Time for them to enjoy their money and let those that actually are willing to roll up their sleeves, be a part of the solution, and contribute in a honest, meaningful way and without the ego.

• Name Withheld
• Downtown