Churches can promote hate
It’s past time to evaluate what is wrong with the morality of this country and the complacency of some churches, not all, in promoting hatred. The preoccupation with the LGBQ community with 7.2 percent of the population which is primarily peaceful, artistic and non violent seems irrational.
As a volunteer in community theater I knew many gay people. They were physicians, contractors, most with degrees or in professional occupations.
The Jewish community is also on the hate list along with dark skinned people. Hate is the rallying call of the start of authoritarian movements in Turkey, Middle Eastern countries, Latin America and now the United States.
Hate is a learned emotional reaction. Some European countries have issued travel warnings due to violence in the United States.
Hatred and fear of those we do not understand is not what Jesus preached as He walked the earth and would some churchgoers even recognize Him or accept His embrace of all God’s people as woke and reject Him as He was rejected 2,000 years ago.
Better take care what you wish for as the victims of authoritarian rulers are fleeing their homelands worldwide. Would you really want to live in one of these countries? How does Russia sound? Thousands have fled and overt disagreement with the regime may get you disappeared or killed. Citizens know only what the regime wants them to know. There are no debates just one national position.
Have an opposing opinion? Your opinions are not welcome and will be quashed as you put yourself in danger. Banning books and making it hard for the disfavored to vote is a flashing red light warning. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5.9).
Isn’t this a better path for our children’s future?
Lynne Stevens, Robbinsville
El-Khouri left a great legacy
I came across this photo (shown above) of a Fourth of July Parade entry that our Dad, Joseph (Joe) El-Khouri, entered during the summer of 1962.
Dad came up with the “slogan,” as he was so very proud to have had the great opportunity to become a U.S. Citizen.
Dad came to the United States in the fall of 1949, from Kour Batroun in the Republic of Lebanon. He met our Mother, Rose Mary Isaac, a cousin, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. They married on June 25, 1950, and subsequently settled in Minneapolis, Minn., where he met then-U.S. Sen. Hubert Humphrey. A friendship developed, and Humphrey sponsored Dad for his citizenship. That was accomplished in 1954.
Dad was so very proud to
be a U.S. citizen although, of course, his heartstrings remained always attached to his childhood home in the beautiful mountains of Lebanon, where he had left the rest of his very large family. That included his father, brothers, sisters and dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He and Mom came with their first three children to Andrews in the fall of 1955. It was the beautiful Andrews Mountain Valley that they then called their “Lifelong Family Home,” raising seven children by 1961.
He took every opportunity to become involved in every possible service to the community over all the years until his passing in July 2012. We are all so proud of the legacy left to us.
Marsha El-Khouri Shiver, Hillsborough
Remembering Fourth of July
On July 4 – Independence Day – we Americans collectively honor and celebrate the birth of our nation. On that day in 1776, announced to the world the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
America embraces three political ideas: natural rights, political equality and sovereignty of the people. Referred to as “these truths” by its author, Thomas Jefferson, the ideas are as old as Genesis.
The Declaration of Independence that the Continental Congress adopted was an act of extraordinary political courage. The 56 delegates were aware that their signatures were not that of an individual, but representative of their colonial state.
Yet, together they mutually pledged to each other “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honour.” We cannot forget those 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence did so at the peril of their lives for high treason. What courage!
And while the Fourth of July is known for its spectacular fireworks displays, cookouts, carnivals and ceremonies, it’s important that we don’t forget the true significance and meaning of Independence Day and its message through the ages – that all people possess certain God-given “inalienable rights” including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
On this 247th Independence Day, the Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, asks all Americans to remember the service and sacrifice of our patriot men and women who fought for our great nation in defense of liberty.
Happy birthday, America.
The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter SAR is a Georgia Society SAR representing members from Union, Towns, Fannin and Gilmer counties in Georgia; and Cherokee and Clay counties in North Carlina.
For details, look at our chapter’s Facebook page, facebook.com/blue.ridge.mtns.sar; the Georgia Society SAR website, gasocietysar.org; or the National Society SAR website, sar.org.
Ron Hill, Sautee Nacoochee, Ga.
The writer is a former Cherokee County manager.