Hi Glenn:  Always glad to meet somebody on Doves, and especially with the name of my (earthly) father.
 
I don't have time to write again to Doves really since I'm leaving town tomorrow, but just dash this off to you, and anyway everything has been said that needs to be.
 
I'm just writing to you since you took the trouble to write in.
Ellen also wrote me as soon as she saw it.  I myself wondered about the authenticity of it, but since I'd never heard the facts about it, I was snookered, and one reason for that was I had just sent it to someone who was touched and inspired by it. It was fiction, but it did have elements of truth, as you mentioned, of how God intervened in tragedy (which as I said, I think He will soon do AGAIN), giving His protection, direction, and saving at the scene, etc.
 
As you say, we don't know why someone feels the need to write such. They surely aren't doing it for gain, but someone did write something that set forth the sovereignty and mercy of God in a situation that could inspire many, and would they had fessed up to the fact it was fiction!  What kind of fiction has been written to succor folk about 9/11?  I'm sure there's been some, but I wouldn't know since I don't read it (as I confess here later.) Ellen said this "awesome true story" is now called an URBAN LEGEND, and I think that's a good term.   That's what a legend is -- no one is sure of its truth -- but it's handed down -- and why is it handed down?  The reason is that it's worthwhile enough to be used as probable fiction.  And why do we have fiction?  Now there's a good question!!  I certainly believe in literature as art and necessary for a culture.  However, I myself don't read a lot of fiction.  I never have.  I read poetry, but not fiction.  To me it's a waste of time.  Not that I don't enjoy it when I do get into it.  It can be interesting and inspiring, but I'm just a nonfiction person.(I liked it this case though, didn't I?)  However, I'm pointing up the fact here that the urban legend about the 9/11 has endured for some reason -- because people like me and the others who are inspired by it keep passing it around!!  And the reason for that is that it is a good piece of fiction about the 9/11 that serves the purpose that fiction serves.  And what purpose is that?  What is art supposed to do for us?  Art is to stir our souls and help us to see ourselves, heal ourselves, focus on what's right, stay in balance -- all of art is man trying to get himself in balance.  That's why when we get saved we need less art because it asks the question, and we ALREADY HAVE the ANSWER in CHRIST -- amen?  Praise Him and thank Him!  But art still serves a purpose now and again even for Christians.  I've often wondered -- WILL THERE BE ART IN HEAVEN? Now you can take off on that on if you like!  I think truth there will continue to surpass art, amen?  There will be great beauty and creativity but not in the sense we use art here as a struggle to right ourselves.  It will be CHRIST THE ANSWER revealed in totality and permeating all.  We can't wait!!
 
 So what I'm saying I guess is that we might keep this "urban legend" about the trade center for what it's worth as "art."  And be SURE to designate it as FICTION.  I had thought about changing it to just "AN AWESOME STORY"  -- uh, no, that sounds like "AN AWESOME UNTRUTH."  No, no!  If it is ever passed along, it should be labeled as just what it is, a LEGEND.
 
In closing, well, I guess I'll send this in to Doves too after I send it to you, as Ellen did after she wrote to me.
Isn't it great that we have a group of sharpies here who LOVE the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!  Thanks to all of you vigilant ones who were a little more vigilant that I in this case.  And by the way thanks for your unending hours of Bible study from which so many benefit.
 
Shalom,
Rachel
cloudsbenjamin@charter.net