Church can spend its money as it sees fit
Folks, please. Why don't you lay off the people who put up the crosses? It's their way of showing honor to the one they love, Jesus Christ.
Yes, $700,000 is a lot of money. So what? Let them spend theirs the way they please, and you do the same. Maybe you can win the lottery. Then what? Or maybe you could do some volunteer work. I hear Feed My Starving Children, a Christ-based organization getting nutrition to the world's children without regard to religion, is returning to Chattanooga at the end of September. Check into it.
FORREST VANDEGRIFF, Hixson
Islam doesn't appear to be religion of peace
The month of fasting is over. Hopefully, the Muslims have become more righteous than before. During Ramadan they prayed, read the Quran and did good deeds. They surrendered to Allah!
Islam signifies total submission to the will and guidance of Allah. The religion took on the title of Islam because Allah decreed it. Some Muslims believe the meaning of Islam is "peace."
However, Islam has traditionally been translated as "total submission" or "surrender," not peace. Mohammad appealed to the tribes of his days to "become Muslims and surrender to Allah and you will be safe." Mohammad's use of the word Islam meant surrender within the context of military conquest not spiritual submission to Allah. They already believed in Allah.
In the beginning of Ramadan, David Cook interviewed some Muslims and quoted their responses: "It is a spiritual cleansing. Along with balking from food and drink Muslims also [try to] avoid quarreling, gossiping, lies, impure images, all things that constitute the junk food for the soul." And that "Islam is a peaceful religion."
If Islam is a peaceful religion, I wonder, why did the United States have to shut down its embassies in the Islamic states?
AMOS TAJ, Ooltewah
GOP isn't doing what's best for our country
It's interesting there have been so many letters about the dismissal of Drew Johnson. The Times Free Press is supposed to give us the information we need to conduct a civil society, not someone's personal agenda to berate the highest office in our country. I realize this is the heart of the Confederacy and there is lingering hatred for those in our duly elected government, but it's treasonous to have as your main goal in life to defeat our leader.
The right wing has done nothing since President Barack Obama's election to help this country get back on its feet after the devastation and destruction which occurred under the Bush-Cheney reign of incompetence and greed. The right wing leader, Mitch McConnell, stated on Day 1 that his main goal was to see that Obama did not receive a second term. He failed at that mission just as he has failed at all the rest of his endeavors.
This obstructionism is the most destructive form of ruin in this nation. Osama Bin Laden could have only dreamed of wrecking this country like the Republicans have managed to do.
If you love this country, do what's best for the nation
ANN BENTON, Signal Mountain
Benefits of three crosses outweigh their cost
The three crosses recently placed near I-75 are just fine. They may even serve as an inspiration for that one person who is lost and wants to give their life to the Lord. The money invested is well worth it if just one person comes to know Christ as their savior.
Then, indeed Jesus will "weep" with joy. Amen.
DALE FAULKNER, Ooltewah