LETTERS

Change way it works

As I sat listening to the Christmas music on the radio and all the attention to “this time of year” and Christians everywhere getting ready to celebrate the religious and financial version of the date in late December, a thought came to me.

With all this support and Christians of not only this country but the whole world feeling a “oneness” that swells within us during this special season, why can’t we do this all the time?

Why can’t we join together, all of us, and change the way the laws of the land work?

Vote together to drive out the money-changers from the halls where the rules are made. Clarify the Constitution so no longer can cross-eyed lawmakers and fast-to-sue lawyers make it say what they want it to say.

Separation of church and state is the mandate, but how in the world does saying a prayer before class evoke the wrath of the ACLU?

God bless us, every one.

MIKE HUGHES

Sherwood

Live by his command

Jesus taught that God is a spirit who dwells in the hearts of people. He said, I am in the father, and the father is in me; he who has seen me has seen the father; and I am in you, and you are in me. He said, I will give you another advocate, who is the spirit of truth, who will dwell in you and teach you all things.

Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments in this teaching: You must love God, and love all people and treat each as you would want to be treated. That is the Great Commandment. Christians should recognize that all people are your neighbors. Recall the story of the good Samaritan.

Why are some Christians so hateful? Because they do not abide by the Great Commandment. Did Jesus advocate burning witches, stoning women for adultery, or slavery? No. Many things in the Old Testament cannot be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus came at a time when humanity had no experience with democracy. His commandments to the nations are: Give water to the thirsty, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, minister to the sick, care for those in prison and welcome the stranger; and what you do for the least of these, you do for me.

Jesus said: If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and the father will send you the comforter which is the holy ghost, the spirit of truth, and we will come and make our abode with you.

Let us abide by the Great Commandment for all people.

RUUD DuVALL

Fayetteville

Family is important

Kudos to the businesses that closed on Thanksgiving Day so their employees could spend the day with their families. Seems like every year,Black Friday starts before Thanksgiving, and it is all for the sake of money.

May the businesses that thought more of family than money be twice blessed.

DOLORES JOHNSON

Jacksonville

Something to think on

Has anyone noticed that Coach John Smith won more games than Coach Bret Bielema? Smile!

BILL GREEN

Camden

Make effort to learn

At age 93, this will likely be my last letter to the editor. Through the years, I’ve learned many things and expressed them, no doubt to the consternation of many readers.

Being raised in a deeply committed Christian family, and studying to become a minister at an early age, I began to question my faith when I found out that not all I was told was true. So I began a process I have used for years. Ask why whenever doubts arise.

My quest for answers was not confined to those involving Christianity, but to all religions. My studies revealed many facts that are apparently unknown, or perhaps just ignored, by those who teach or those who blindly accept what they’ve been told.

Among what I found: In the centuries before the story of Jesus, as least 15 other saviors had the same story of virgin birth, performing miracles, being crucified and arising from the dead. Among over a dozen historical writers’ reports during Christ’s reported life, none made any reference to Jesus or any of the events connected with him in the New Testament.

There are over a dozen major religions, and in Christianity alone, there are thousands of major and minor variations in interpretation by different sects. All religions began with early man worshiping the sun, moon and stars, and all variations since have been the works of man, including all religious works.

This is not a condemnation of those who profess any religion. It is simply a plea that they take the time and effort to learn the full origin of their beliefs. As one philosopher has noted, “Just because something is said a million times does not make it true.”

ROD GREIG

Rogers

On helping the poor

Mr. Hiram B. Cooper in his letter to the Voices page apparently feels the government is moving Americans away from Christian principles and toward “dark sinfulness,” but at the same time it is not the government’s responsibility to take care of the poor.

Oh, such irony and double-speak.

I would ask Mr. Cooper what greater Christian value is there than helping the poor. Furthermore, a basic American principle of equal protection under the law is truly reflected in “love thy neighbor as thyself” and those who are sinless cast the first stone.

For centuries, some Christians have invoked their personal convictions. Remember the excommunication of those who advocated that the earth was not the center of the universe, or the women who they declared witches? For their supposed transgressions, they were burned at the stake.

Does America want to be like Godless China and have elderly parents suing their children to help them subsist because government fails to help? I refuse to believe this is the kind of government Christians advocate. As Americans we are truly rich, and Jesus says it is difficult for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven.

I am not judging; I’m just saying.

EDWARD C. HUDNALL

Bryant