First off, while AA makes use of the *concept* of a “higher power” it falls short; AA’s higher power is not (necessarily) God, so please don’t equate the two.

Most of your other conclusions are gross non-sequiturs or sarcastic exaggerations — you obviously formed a reaction to God’s “inadequacies” early in your life, as you seem to think that any solution involving God is childish. You haven’t noticed the integrity of the many adult men and women who have placed their faith in God.

One day you will be just as dead as everybody who believes in God. In fact, you may — unfortunately — be even MORE dead than they are (start reading the Bible if you care to figure that one out).

Praying that God will tap you gently on the shoulder with the sledgehammer neccesary for you to see the light …

Wow. So Lindsay’s Friend knows God’s mind, what is in God’s heart? Is she an angel? She says she knows “God is building a hedge around Lindsay.” A hedge! What does that mean? So Lindsay can hide away & watch her garden grow?

In answer to lova’s question of “what kind of a moral publication would publish his letter to her anyway?,” Lindsay’s Friend says, “God can use *anything* to accomplish His purposes – and He does.” So God is using her Dad to send a message to Lindsay. So Papa Lohan is God’s mouthpiece. Next thing you know Lindsay’s Dad will be writing the new Gospels. Oh my Goddess.

I appreciate your comment Bill re: AA & God. I hear you. I think that is a big problem w/AA. God is used as a crutch, & a crutch that can fall out from under you… or be tossed away. Do it!

We’re talking about adults here. Lindsay turns 21 this July. What turned me off from my considering turning to a program similar to AA is the use of God, “the Higher Power.” & the program giving out little rewards to the members.

It is all so damned childish. It felt like people were going up to get stars put on their foreheads by the teacher. & as far as the Higher Power goes: You’re basing a higher power on a myth, on something that cannot be proven. All my base are belong to you.

This is a time in your life when you need to be on solid ground. When you need to use reliable methods to get healthy: science & psychology.

You change your behavior because you will feel better, be healthier, make clearer decisions, find strength in discipline. The reasons you make the change are the rewards. The Higher Power must come from within. The Higher Power is You. You harm or reward yourself. You rely on yourself.

It’s time to get w/the 21st Century. To become educated, to use tried, tested, true scientific methods. To get smart.

To you health, Lindsay!

I think you underestimate how much God loves Lindsay — enough to do *whatever it takes* (He already has done the First Work) to save her — from herself, and from her past (some of which is still all-too-present) and present pain. Sure — we could say that it’s all about her dad wanting publicity — but I think there’s a great deal more to it than that. If nothing else, her father has publicly enlisted the prayers of all whose hearts are crushed by her struggle. No – she’s not perfect — she’s ‘acted out’ in some very hurtful ways — to her career and to her health — I think she has been totally overwhelmed between her successful career, her abominable family history (and its present persistence), and just wanting to be a normal young woman who is LOVED by her parents (not “managed”) and who is searching for that someone special who loves her. Any one of those in itself would be enough of a challenge. No wonder she has resorted to numbing the pain (as Joseph Robert has so aptly described it) with substance abuse — what other comfort was there for her? And — by the way — this is certainly not an uncommon occurrence among people in Hollywood, is it.

All of us have had less-than-perfect parents — we either continue to hate them for their shortcomings – or forgive them so we can love them. Interestingly, this is stated in one of the lines from “A Woman of No Importance” by Rachel: “Children begin by loving their parents. After a time they judge them. Rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.”

People (including parents) make mistakes. People who are learning from their mistakes may continue to make other mistakes. Great people are often those who have made great mistakes – and learned from them. People who do not learn from their mistakes are rarely great.

True – “protocol” would dictate that such “private stuff” would ideally not be put in a magazine. But in spiritual warfare – which this is – “protocol” can be one of the most damning obstacles. If you doubt that, just think of how well-served the agents of hell have been by the “protocol” of “political correctness”.

Lindsay’s battle has been pushed out into the public, so it will be won in the public. Those of us who SUPPORT her will support her publicly just as those who publicly have tried to tear her apart. So while there can be arguments made as to the various short-comings here, I believe that God is “building a hedge” around Lindsay, and I commend her father for using all the fire-power at his disposal to help that effort along. Whatever his intentions are (God can use anyone), the results are, I believe, beneficial.

Neither I nor anyone else can know for sure what is in the heart of Lindsay’s father and mother, even (maybe especially) she can’t really know. But ultimately Lindsay – as do we all – belongs to a loving God, not her father or her mother. It will be for her to decide to accept His love for her – not her father’s decision, or her mother’s, or her publicist, etc. It appears that, being the caring person that she is, He has chosen her to join Him in showing the world what His love can – and will — do TODAY to save us for Himself. I think we can all be especially grateful for that in light of the news of Nicole Simpson – may God ever deliver Lindsay from that.

For those of you who have issues with “God” … without meaning to sound crass, while I hesitate to say you are in “good company”, I can certainly say that you are “not alone” – nor will you ever be. Do be advised, however, that this is totally of your own free choice. No one – not even God – can force you to believe in Him or accept His love for you.

lova – “what kind of a moral publication would publish his letter to her anyway?” — God can use *anything* to accomplish His purposes – and He does :-)

Joseph Robert — thank you for your understanding and prayer. I pray that you have found — or will find — that you also belong to our loving Heavenly Father – which may perhaps be difficult for you to know given your past experience. I pray for your eternal happiness in knowing Him as He really is, and His love for you.

Dee and neums – thanks for your support – keep praying … I already know you are :-)

Lindsay – I hope you are starting to find enough “safe” space to begin to sort things out. I know there is *MUCH* confusion — He will show you the way. I know there is *MUCH* pain – He can heal it. I know there will be more tears — He will wipe them from your eyes. There will be JOY in your heart AGAIN — the joy that was there before – only stronger this time – His joy that you share with Him will last – forever!

Stay strong. And even better, remember that when you are weak – HE is your strength.

Continuing to watch – and pray, as always, your “Affectionate Fan”