Letter: No salvation in clean air?

Published 12:15 am Sunday, August 27, 2017

This one is for the people who have not been reading the Post over the past 12 years or have just smelled it.

The “Common Sense” quote on July 25 said “Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share it.” Leo Tolstoy. What about that?

On Aug. 15, page 3A, a headline read “Seminary offers course on more healthful living for clergy, church leaders.” The course led by Cabarrus Health Alliance professionals, and funded by a grant, will help people learn about community resources to support the health of congregations.

Where is Healthy Rowan with all of their professionals?

The past 12 years I have spoken with many clergy and church leaders about healthful living and I ain’t even got a grunt.

Here are some of the “quotes” I’ve heard from preachers, deacons, Sunday school teachers and churchgoers.

The first one is from a preacher. He said, “It is my job to save souls not to save lungs.”

Another preacher said he couldn’t ask his flock to stop smoking because he smoked. I told him I didn’t care if he smoked or not, but please stop smoking around children in the parks. He said he didn’t see anything wrong with smoking in parks because you are outside.

A deacon said, “I agree with you 100 percent, but I don’t think our pastor will get involved with this. He doesn’t like to step on anybody’s toes if it’s not about salvation.”

From the Sunday school teacher: “I don’t think you will ever get churches to help you. There are way too many people in church that still smoke.”

The best one I “saved” for last. It came from a Bible-thumper who said, “It ain’t never been proved that secondhand smoke hurts anybody.”

Now that I’ve been involved with the politicians and preachers, it might be time to call on the principals.

Or is it the principles?

— Whitey Harwood

Rowan County