Oh, Lordy. This is the community mindset where ash resides. People who have no business venturing near a word processor (and, to their credit, fully accept that) are so moved by an emotional issue they feel they must express their passion. The paper acquiesces, and ash finds herself smashing flies with cannon balls. These debates remind her of an extremely unbalanced ping pong game:
Whatever happened to ‘majority rule’?
On Tuesday’s front page, there are several people praying and one atheist watching over them! How has it happened that that one person can govern what the other four are doing?
For that matter, why are God-fearing people having to hide all religious aspects to appease a few? Whatever happened to “majority rule”? If these atheists are so offended by the public display of the Ten Commandments and other religious facts, why don’t they just use their own common sense and look away? That would seem to be the logical thing to do.
I will pray that they use this common sense and let the rest of us get on with our God.
Lou Strukely, Virden
Contradictory decision indeed, but not wise
I guess I’m not as enlightened as “most Americans” in that I can’t see the wisdom in the Supreme Court’s two decisions on the church-state issue handed down Monday. Also, I’m not “smart enough” to know that our government should not be involved in our religion.
Your opinion continues to say that to some the rulings may seem contradictory, but there is much wisdom in these rulings. I agree that the rulings are contradictory, but not wise. Who will decide if a Ten Commandments display is meant to be historical or religious? Gee, maybe a judge or eventually a Supreme Court justice? I wonder which way the vote will go.
I’m also confused as to why a nation that is 80 percent Christian is not a “Christian nation.” Some countries are “Muslim nations,” according to your opinion. What constitutes being a “Christian nation” or a “Muslim nation”? Must your country be 100 percent to be considered Christian or Muslim? If you live in a “Muslim nation” and you are Christian, you better keep quiet or you will be killed. Guess that’s how you obtain 100 percent Muslim.
By the way, atheism is a religion. Seems to me the Supreme Court is becoming a religious advocate - toward atheism and against Christianity. But we’re not a “Christian nation” anyway. Why would the Supreme Court rule against 80 percent of our nation? I know, they are wiser and more enlightened than we Christians could ever be!
I’m calling on all Christians to let their voice be heard in support of President Bush’s choices to fill upcoming vacancies on the Supreme Court. This appointment will impact our nation for decades to come.
Janie Saner, Sherman
While a vast majority of Americans consider themselves Christians, two critical caveats warrant reiteration. The first is that there is no official religion. The second, which derives from the first, is that religious affiliation is strictly voluntary. No one is forced by declaration to adhere.
Were religion to be put to a vote, Christianity would win in a landslide. What distinguishes our democracy from the theocracies of other nations is that no such election will occur. Nor may the government impose the beliefs of the majority upon the minority.
Short of government mandate, this is not a Christian nation. Personally, I’d like to keep it that way.