Bible for Dummies best pick for state
As an Episcopal priest, I am concerned about the proposal in the General Assembly to make the Bible the state book of Tennessee. Those putting this forward seem ignorant of the hurt and offense it will cause many Tennessee residents, including Christians. While the Scriptures are not copyrighted, they belong to believers, not to the state. Which Bible does this assembly propose to bring under its jurisdiction, the Bible of the Catholic Church? The Anglican Communion, including our Episcopal Church, doesn’t endorse the Roman Catholic canon but includes some of its books under the heading “Apocryphal Books.” What about the Bible of the Orthodox churches? Proponents may have in mind the King James Version as handed down from God, but which KJV? The original has the Apocryphal Books, but Queen Victoria, Lutheran bred, told the royal printer to omit them forthwith. Now for something completely different. Which translation of whichever Bible you pick will you use? Will you stick to Hebrew or Greek? If not, one of the English translations? A suggestion would be that proponents print their own preference in their own language to be titled the Bible for Dummies.
Francis Walter, Sewanee, Tenn.
Give ex-cons a chance
Anyone who has served a prison sentence can tell you that they do not want to go back. However, society does not promote the co-existence of anyone who has made a mistake and paid the price for it. As a convicted felon, I can tell you that finding a job is the hardest thing for me to do. I am currently employed, but for $7.50 per hour. No person in this country can live on that wage unless they are doing something on the side. I am fortunate to have a family willing to help me. If more people would give someone with a background a chance, the crime rates may go down. I have met repeat offenders and seen some of them cry because all they want to do is support their child but couldn’t find a job that paid them enough. I want to go to school, but for what? I know when I graduate I will still have to fight for a position with people who have no record. What employers overlook is that some of us have something to prove to society. Some of us want to succeed in life independently and find a career that will pay for even a cheap apartment.
Joseph Tillery
Balance negative reports on police
This past year the role of a police officer has become a challenging one. Cases like Ferguson or the death of Eric Garner brought attention to police brutality, misconduct and shootings. An officer is to enforce the law, provide security and maintain the peace. But with many cases and articles involving a corrupt system, respect for the police force is being lost. The problem with a majority of cases is negative coverage such as “Chattanooga Police Department loses officers to misconduct.” Officers who are choosing to misuse their authority are creating a negative image for the police force. People tend to dwell on the negative more than the positive. Many officers work hard to do their job well, but their hard work is overshadowed by negative coverage. People become biased because of the negative image corrupt officers have created. Positive police accounts should occur at least six time for each negative one. For every negative story pertaining the police force, there should be a positive story as well. If there were a balance, then the negative would not outweigh the positive.
Kalina Hyde, Ringgold, Ga.