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November 25, 2009

Readers' Forum for Nov. 25, 2009

Common ground among faiths is mutual respect



With all due respect to both sides in the Bible Baptist sign controversy, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Are those of us who follow Jesus missing the most obvious point?

I have many Muslim friends with whom I, as an evangelical Christian, disagree with theologically. There are points in our respective faiths that are totally irreconcilable — Christians believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, Muslims don’t. There’s no middle ground there theologically. But we can still be friends.

Does that mean we gloss over the differences in our beliefs and pretend those differences don’t exist? Not at all. But the common ground among people of different faiths should be mutual respect and a willingness to communicate and socialize with each other — something that I dare say is often lacking even among Christians in the same congregation, never mind reaching out to outsiders.

There’s no reason that people with very strong, diametrically opposed theological views can’t get along, and it’s not “intolerance” to make one’s strong views known to others who might not agree with those views. Would we rather that everyone have such flimsy convictions that they stand for absolutely nothing? But if Christians don’t share with others what they believe in a manner that reflects the love of Christ — I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t say that people could be yelled into heaven — then we’ve missed the very heart of His message. We might win the argument, but we lose the very reason we’re talking about Jesus in the first place.

— Chad Steenerson

Terre Haute

Editor’s note: Steenerson is a copy editor for the Tribune-Star.



Why should Christians have to defend beliefs?



The story of Nov. 19 raises many questions.

Why are Christians required to defend our beliefs? I do not know Pastor Parker, but he was too quick to acquiesce to the pressure of the press and a “diverse household.” When did it become no longer permissible to express oneself on private property? When did our First Amendment Rights become “Hatespeech?” Oh, I forgot. When Congress passed that law earlier this year. Pastors can’t preach the word freely.

The 13-year-old letter writer reminisces about the signs that read “Terre Haute; United for Diversity and Tolerance.” She is shocked, shocked she says by the vicious hatred. Hey, kiddo, take a trip to Columbus, Ohio. Ask about the condition of teenager Rifqa Bary. She was born into Islam, converted to Christianity and is now attempting to stay alive. Ask your kind, caring Muslim friends what is supposed to be done to someone who accepts Jesus as the Christ. Her father threatened to kill her.

Either the letter writer’s father does not consider that Christianity has a valid place in his daughter’s upbringing or she has failed to learn much from any Sunday School attendance.

Lisa Trigg’s column itself is nonsense. Taking Al Mansoor’s word on anything is the height of naivete on the part of Trigg. She should investigate the Islamic traditions of taqiyya and kitman. I urge local Christians, as well, to read about these traditions.

Also, I rather suspect that it was the letter writer’s Hindu mother that brought about the story. After all, why mention “weekly visits to a temple in Indianapolis are not required, unlike Christianity.” You would also do well to do look into the practice of “sati.” It has sometimes been encouraged or even completed by the widow’s family. Also, just a reminder that it is Hindus who created the “caste” system. It is Hindus who over the past several years have burned churches and murdered Christians in that “great democracy” of India.

The Tribune-Star continues to peddle such piddle as news. Poppycock.

— Edward Kesler

West Terre Haute



How are unemployed to pay for health care?



So, I see we will now be required to have health insurance, or pay a fine. I didn’t have it when I still had a job because I couldn’t afford it and keep a roof over my head. Now, way too many of us are unemployed, trying to keep from losing our homes, trying to keep out of bankruptcy and trying to pay the bills we already have. How the heck are we supposed to pay for something else? Did anyone in the government consider that when they passed this bill?

— Gretchen VanPelt

Brazil

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