CHRISTIAN: What it really means

There was a time, in the not distant past, that the first thing I read in The Press was the Letters to the Editor. The caustic content of many of this past year’s political and religious editorials have taken their toll and I read fewer and fewer with time.

I was disappointed with the outcome of the presidential election but accept the results. I consider myself a Christian and believe our nation needs to reset its moral path; but, some of the recently written “Christian” letters certainly miss that standard.

A few of Jesus’ comments follow:

• Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest: Mathew 12:28

• A new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you: John 13: 34

• Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not and you shall not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

The Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus asking that she be stoned. After some silence Jesus said “let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” They all left in shame. John 8:7

We are blessed in this country with the right to observe any religion we choose or none if we so choose.

I grew up in a different environment. My first grade teacher took the first few minutes of school to read one Bible verse to the class. She wasn’t trying to teach one form of religion over another but used the simple verse to show that there were certain standards of behavior that would make us better persons and a better nation. Her reading would now be banned as promoting church and state.

During World War II everyone believed that with God’s help we would be victorious. We all came together and sang”God Bless America” with the zeal and pride the song deserved. The ACLU is presently doing its best to remove any reference to God.

I joined the Boy Scouts of America just before the war began and gladly recited the Scout oath. Now the ACLU is pressuring the Scouts not to acknowledge God and country and to allow gay leaders. I believe the Scouts and their parents have the right to retain their oath and to determine who should lead their organization.

Some “Christian” churches embrace gay marriage as freedom of choice. Will they now allow one man to marry multiple women? What is the difference? If the Bible doesn’t set their rules, what does? Judging them is not my authority, I just don’t want to be forced, or taught, it is normal; so, I will probably be designated a “hate monger.” Hollywood and the media are pushing these changes.

Change must be tempered with sound, thoughtful, moral understanding. One “change” I do appreciate, the President now ends most of his addresses with God Bless America, and I will join him in the same closing statement because that is a blessing we can’t do without.

LEONARD BRANT

Rathdrum