Why Can’t Critics Just Ignore Feng Shui?

The hostility and malice in the letters about the feng shui column (“Questioning the Relevance of the Feng Shui Column,” June 13) made me pull out previous week’s newspaper to see what all the commotion was about. I’m so glad I still had it.

Some quotes: “Feng shui is a belief, and believers will see what they want.” “Superstitious nonsense. . . .” “New Age garbage called feng shui. . . .” “Bondage to such teachings as feng shui.” “Spiritually bankrupt. . . .”

Since when do dogmas get to dictate what the rest of us should find interesting? If The Times submits to this kind of right-wing attack, I’ll be very disappointed.

The Asian cultures gave us acupuncture, gunpowder, the antecedents of sauerkraut and some of the planet’s best herbal medicine (another pagan superstition?).

I wouldn’t be too quick to assume that 5,000-year-old cultures as developed as those in Asia are poor, benighted pagan heathens with only superstition to guide them.

Seems to me that anything that challenges our rigid, hide-bound assumptions deserves at least our curiosity.

I’ll make a point of looking for more feng shui columns--since I happen to find a lot of “New Age garbage” amazingly useful and practical and accurate.

KATHY DOWNING

Burbank

I question the sanity of your letter writers--who actually read, and continue to read--newspaper articles concerning subjects they find offensive, irrelevant, ridiculous, fraudulent and downright sinful!

Hopefully, they will contact each other so as to soothe their desperate insecurities with the reassurance that others do share their hatred for other cultures and beliefs.

Please keep the feng shui column and do not cater to those who wish to rid the world of options.

P.A. WALTERS

Los Angeles

It is amazing to me how many people took the time to write in and complain about your decision to run a column on the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui. Many likened it to voodoo, witchcraft or worse.

I was raised in a Catholic home and there was a crucifix hanging in every bedroom to protect us from harm. Many of my Jewish friends hang a mezuza on their door for the same reason. I wonder how many of these letter writers do the same? Perhaps the fact that feng shui is a Chinese practice makes it difficult for some people to endorse.

Remember the words of Confucius: “If there be harmony in the home there will be order in the country. If there is order in the country there will be peace in the world.”

TOM DESIMONE

North Hollywood

Feng shui is not “New Age garbage,” as one of your ignorant readers suggested. It has existed in Chinese culture for thousands of years, along with acupuncture, which was also once considered quackery, so obviously it does work for many people.

And feng shui is so popular in Southern California that there is a long, long wait to check out any of the many feng shui books available in the Los Angeles library system.

The level of bile in the letters stuns me. We each have the right to any and all information available, and to assess [the effectiveness of] these subjects for ourselves. I say, if it works for you, do it. If not, move on.

KEN TOLAN

Studio City

The addition of the feng shui column to your weekly paper has been a good one. My husband and I look forward to it.

This practice of placement has been done for thousands of years, with testaments of its success worldwide. Some people may find it hard to believe, or laugh it off as one more touchy-feely New Age diversion, but many of us swear by it.

My life has changed dramatically since I discovered this way of life. If you find it offensive or incomprehensible, don’t do it. I, for one, hope this column lasts for years to come.

ANDREA TICE

Topanga

I am writing to support your feng shui column. I am among a growing number of young professionals who have formed an appreciation for the aesthetics of a harmonious home environment and feel that feng shui is an excellent tool to help accomplish this elusive goal.

For myself, I am baffled by the ridiculous prices that celebrities pay for deluxe homes described in your “Hot Property” column, but feel that these are interesting to some people and are there for the public to read or ignore.

By the same token, I think that some of your readers should exercise the same tolerance for your efforts to broaden the base of your Real Estate readership to include people like myself who enjoy your feng shui columns tremendously.

Please don’t let the prejudice of some people dictate your editorial policy.

MICHAEL SALAZAR

Via e-mail