U.S. founders had behavior insight
As I have studied how far some Americans will go to preserve religious symbols on public property, one lesson of this fake conflict becomes very clear: In a pluralistic, diverse and divided America, does one religious symbol fit all? Answer: No!
And it never has — and it never will. Our founders and framers were right.
When the Founding Fathers gathered for the inaugural session of the Continental Congress, they gave us what Ben Franklin called “America’s public religion”; that is, an ecumenical God.
When they drafted the Declaration of Independence, they gave us deism’s “Creator God.”
When they drafted the Constitution, they refused to include the words “God” and “Christian,” giving us a secular document.
Thank God for the insight into human behavior.
B.J. PASCHALL
Sevierville, Tenn.
Be careful what you tell children
A child, boy or girl, talking to Christian parents.
First you told me that Cupid shot arrows to make people fall in love on Valentine’s Day, and I found out that this was not true.
You also told me that the Easter Bunny brings candy, dyed eggs and Easter baskets on Easter, and these stories aren’t true.
You told me on Christmas about talking snowmen, flying reindeer and a fat old man in a red suit named Santa Claus who brings toys to good children, and that was not true either.
Now you’re telling me that a Virgin gave birth to a baby boy (named Jesus) who grew up without sinning and that He died on the cross for the sins of the world. He arose from the grave, went to heaven, and will return some day and that the only way to heaven is to believe and trust in Him as your savior totally and completely — that he did it all.
Gee, this sounds like another one of your big stories. You’ve told me so many stories that I found are not true. I don’t believe you anymore.
Christian parents, be careful about the stories you tell your children; they will not believe you when you tell the truth.
ROBERT M.
STANLEY JR.
Hixson
Protesters take a moral stand
Events of the last couple of years have highlighted how greed has become the norm in America’s financial and political arena.
Deceit, misdirection and outright lying have become so common that many corporate and political leaders are not even aware that such tactics are wrong.
Deceit and greed go hand and hand. In the “Parable of the Sower” (Mark 4:19), Jesus tells us how deceit and greed separate us from the Word of God. In Matthew 24:4, Jesus admonishes us not to be deceived by those claiming to do His work.
This prayer request is for those who are taking part in Occupy Chattanooga. Their efforts to bring to light the injustices of America’s financial and political system should be commended and upheld by those of us who love and follow the teachings of Jesus.
Please pray for these people who do have jobs and families but have taken time to make a moral stand. Taking some hot chocolate and Christmas cookies to them wouldn’t hurt either.
MIKE LASKOWSKI
Signal Mountain
Carol references biblical verses
I really enjoy the Christmas season here in the Tennessee Valley. It is a time of giving and sharing. People’s faces are aglow with joy and the sound of Christmas carols.
In “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” it says that the Lord comes with healing in His wings. The healing of our bodies is referenced in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah.
This carol also mentions the Godhead.
Ephesians 4: 5-6 states, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Lord God the Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all. Amen”.
The scriptural references in this song bless my heart.
Acts 2:38-39 says: “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“For the promise is unto you, your children and all those that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
May these blessings be yours now — and for time to come. Merry Christmas, everyone.
WILLIAM R. SHOPE
East Ridge
Study reasons for re-election
Reasons to re-elect our President Obama:
1. He is well educated and knowledgeable about national and foreign affairs.
2. He cares about the United States and its people.
3. He is honest.
4. He has no negative background.
5. He is a good diplomat and is respected worldwide.
THEODORE WASHINGTON
Make drivers pay attention to ban
All along, I’ve thought that the reason we don’t have strong bans against cell phone use while driving was that legislators simply didn’t have the backbone to produce such legislation. Your article “The Cell Habit” proved me wrong. It’s our addiction to these devices, and legislators would be subject to any restrictions like the rest of us. Heaven forbid they wouldn’t be able to keep in touch with their constituencies 24/7. Majority Leader McCormick, after all, says it’s a “silly idea” and that “no one would pay any attention to it.” I guess that means the idea is DOA if it ever gets introduced in the next legislative session.
However, setting aside the relative merits of cell phone bans while driving, I disagree with McCormick about whether or not people would pay attention to such laws. I believe the following suggested penalties might attract some attention rather quickly. First offense — $500 fine. Second offense — $1,000 fine and three points. Third offense — $5,000 fine and one-year suspension of driver’s license. But don’t worry, folks. It ain’t gonna happen any time soon. Maybe it’s a matter of backbone after all.
STEVE BERNTHAL
Blairsville, Ga.