10/29/98

Dear Mr. President:

My background is in theology and law, and in my life I often am put in a position of answering people's moral and ethical questions. I am a Christian,and I have been given to understand that you are also. I would like to speak as a Christian, but also as a student of the law.

People today seem to believe that sexual activity between consenting adults is a personal matter which hurts no one, and that we Christians who call such things "sinful" are prudish and old fashioned. I'm afraid that the best that will come out of your recent affair is that perhaps people will perceive that such private conduct does hurt others. Who could say that you and Miss Lewinsky have not been hurt by this? And of course your wife and daughter have suffered from it as well. Miss Lewinsky's future also will be marred by this scandal--and should she marry and have children, this will have hurt her future family, as yet unknown. It has also hurt the nation. Parents trying to teach their children the wisdom of chastity now must overcome your example; children and young adults will defend their fornication by reference to yours,and so bring harm to themselves. The injury you have caused may be immeasurable. I think this cannot be minimized.

However, I also think that it is not the issue. If you weare tempted and fell--even if you had a continuing weakness which led you into repeated illicit relationships with uncounted women, were you guilty of far more in this regard than has been alleged--that would be between you and God, and those to whom you needed to make amends, primarily your family. And there is a certain degree to which your desire to keep the circle of the knowledge of your sin so limited is laudable.

However, it has been alleged that you lied under oath, that you intentionally perjured yourself to protect this secret. I am not your judge or jury--but these are crimes for which there will be an earthly judge and jury. If these allegations are true, I would hope that you would confess this crime and resign from office; the alternative will only cause more harm to the nation and to you.

I hope you will consider this carefully, and make the right decision.

Thank you for your time.