Spread love, and not hate
I am writing in response to the guest column by Shirley Frisbee in the Nov. 30 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
It amazes me how quickly one can look over the freedom of religion aspect of the First Amendment of our Constitution.
By all means, have your religious convictions and beliefs. But that does not give you the right to sit there and judge another’s choices and actions, especially when those actions do no harm to another living being. We have religious freedom in this country, and therefore no law should be made based upon Christian principles.
We aren’t making laws based on Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, etc., so why should your Bible get preferential treatment? How about practicing respect and loving kindness to others? Isn’t that what Jesus teaches you?
When Christians start to wonder why so many people are leaving the church, then look no further than columns like this. A person who is supposed to lead others to God and demonstrate the power of God’s love instead chooses to write about “the depravity” of loving whomever you choose to.
These arguments always remind me of the Gandhi quote: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
I hope that everyone reading this will choose to love others over spreading hatred.
Sarah Wright, Murphy
Laws not on one religion
The answer to “Where is the respect for biblical principles in marriage act?” asked by guest columnist Shirley Frisbee is simple.
Our laws are not based on any religion. There is a separation of church and state. Remember, many escaped Europe and England to be rid of being told which religion they should serve and pay their taxes to. Our Founding Fathers established the first amendment as “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
This means Congress will not use any religion on which to base its laws. And Congress will not prohibit anyone from practicing the religion of their choice.
‘The “wall of separation between church and state” is an American original. It’s an American invention. The idea was born in the Enlightenment. But it was first implemented in the ‘American experiment.’ Until then, no other nation had sought to protect the people’s right to think freely by separating religion and government. We should be proud of that fact.” (From the Americans United website.)
Therefore, the Bible is not going to be respected as an authority in law. However, each person is free to practice their own religion and respect their own Bible.
It is fine to have religious beliefs that conflict with laws. You as an individual are not held to abide by that law. If our laws allow same-sex marriage, but your religious beliefs prohibit you from that, then you are free to follow your beliefs and not marry the same sex. However, just because your religion doesn’t allow it should not set the law of the land.
Congress is not beholden to make laws around any one religion or religious document. It is up to each individual to respect their Bible in relation to the marriage act.
Diane Snyder, Murphy
In defense of all our animals
We humans often complain about the pain and suffering of life, but the lives of animals are a thousand times worse, and they don’t complain. They have a nobility many of us don’t, myself included.
To them, we must seem blessed. When we become sick, we receive medical care
and are generally cured. When an animal has an infection, it commonly dies horribly. In larger animals only one in 10 makes it to adulthood. Every moment of their days is colored by fear – and to make their lives more miserable, hunters come along to finish them and their loved ones off.
I never understood the pleasure hunters get in shooting a bullet or arrow into a defenseless animal. Does a hunter receive another thrill when he approaches his kill, that might still be bleeding out, its eyes wide and desperate, knowing it is
dying?
There is something not right about that. I wonder if serial killers have a similar feeling. It’s just another prey, after all, and sport is sport.
I support the Second Amendment and am a Vietnam veteran, but this obsession in killing every conceivable animal – everyone except hunters has a season – mystifies me.
Yahweh is an old school, Old Testament kind of guy, and only 2,000 years ago let his son, Christ, try to change things. Simply accepting Christ didn’t work. People were even meaner than before.
Yahweh was forced to take matters back into his own hands. He didn’t like all the nasty people arriving and setting up house, just because they and the Son had made a deal, especially the ones who savagely killed the magnificent creatures he made.
In all the fuss and activity of reorganization, He hadn’t yet put out a new Bible, but wait for it. It will be another best seller.
Arlan Edwards, Murphy
Public safety did a great job
I would like to thank the men and women from the various agencies within public safety who responded to Murphy High School on Thursday. Thankfully, after responding, we became aware that the incident resulted from a fake call.
These type of despicable fake reports were only one of numerous fielded by public safety throughout the state last week.
The fake report that there was an active shooter with potentially several students injured prompted an immediate and highly engaged response from all law enforcement agencies in the area, as well as fire, Emergency Medical Services and emergency management personnel. County 911 Dispatch also did an outstanding job in a very stressful situation responding to not only the school report, but also several other emergency calls that occurred at the same time.
Many public safety responders were willing to put their lives in danger that day – without any hesitation. Some responders have children or family in the school and continued with their responsibilities until the situation was resolved.
The rapid response, the willingness to go into harm’s way for the safety of others and the professionalism to do their duties in highly stressful environments makes me proud to be a part of such an amazing group of individuals and agencies.
Robin Caldwell, Murphy
The writer is director of Cherokee County Emergency Services.
Why complain about helping?
I have written before about my neighbor who complained about me picking up trash. He complained again, and said he called the N.C. Department of Transportation on me. The DOT said I could not do what I was doing. They wanted my name.
I have been doing this for 25 years. I pick up and bag trash. I place it for pickup at the stop sign. I have talked to DOT people who have never told me to stop.
Why does this guy care so much? Why does he feel the need to get involved? If the DOT wants my name, it’s down below. If they do want me to stop, it seems crazy to me.
People who do not want to help should just leave me alone.
Thomas J. Shaffer, Mineral Bluff, Ga.
Don’t blame others for use
I’m a firm believer in the Scripture, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.” I expect no different when journalists give personal accounts. However, in these cases, it’s as “the writer writeth.”
So, I was surprised to read Abigail Blythe Batton’s Nov. 30 “From the Front Porch” column with her lengthy, defensive, “I’m not an alcoholic” stance.
Though she blames others for the impression she chose to give with her frequent imbibing reference in various columns and posts, the blame solely belongs to her. This was not a one-time occurrence, like the perception examples she used. This deflection just doesn’t work for me.
But, unless I missed it, for the first time she wrote of her delight with tea drinking, complete with a photo of her “favorite tea things.” As you wrote, the enjoyment from this is “not as flamboyant to talk about as alcohol.” So, instead you choose to misinform. Perhaps total omission is best.
Where is the accountability here? It’s the same scenario that plays over and over again in our society. Blame others rather than take responsibility for your own actions or words. Sensationalism works. But it’s wrong.
Abigail, don’t guess that you did this to yourself. As you wrote, you’re “a fraud.” Readers shouldn’t be led astray. Put the kettle on, sip your hot tea and give this some thought.
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
A wonder at Christmas
Every year at this time, we who serve faithfully the God of all creation remember the birth of Jesus and what a miracle it was that God found a way to reconcile us back to Him by sending His only begotten son as a babe in a manger to be the perfect sacrifice for mankind’s sin, past present and future.
This story sounds farfetched for those who don’t know the Jesus that I do, for in lies the most precious gift that anyone could receive, the gift of eternal life in heaven with your Creator, Lord God.
Yes, many fake stories have been told in books, TV, magazines, computer resources, radio and many other avenues that discredit this amazing story of Jesus’ birth, the only human being that was perfect in all His ways.
What do we gain from this miracle that happened over 2,000 years ago that still spellbounds folks to come as they are and hear the good news of the gospel that saves lives from hell, if only one will believe upon the Name of Jesus Christ? They will be saved.
There is no magic wand to wave. No bottle to rub for a genie to give you a wish. No wishing upon a star, only this wondrous child that came down from heaven to make a way where there was no way to get to heaven.
What does it take to believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? Only faith in a God who cannot lie unlocks the doors of our minds and lets the Spirit of truth pierce our hearts that gives us hope for a brighter day to come.
Let’s celebrate Jesus’ birth with a shout of rejoicing that our Savior lives and soon will be coming back to take His children home.
Frank Combs, Blairsville, Ga.