Letters to the editor - Sunday (2-19-2012)

In rush to pound the Bible, don’t trample on Constitution

Religious extremists or the acts viewed by some as just and moral will be viewed by others as unjust and immoral, depending on the observer’s values, politics and moral scope. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.

Rowan County has its own religious extremists. Recently, Rowan County commissioners were called down by the ACLU for their prayers before public meetings. Their reaction … Christianity is under attack!!! The ACLU is un-American. Jim Sides, leader of the Christian Taliban, vowed to be a martyr for the cause and get locked up. (Many of us secretly hope it he gets his wish).

People have rationalized doing a lot of stupid things in the name of God. Slavery, Jim Crow, discrimination and hate of all types … the Bible can be used to buttress any argument. Always, the players are so certain in their convictions.

As a Christian, if I thought for one minute that Christianity was under attack, I would stand up with Jim and Carl Ford and defend it. But Christianity is doing just fine. What is under attack is their belief that all Christians and all people of religion (or not) should subscribe to their religious convictions. And to that I say… Gentleman, your God is too small. And that, too, was the fear of the founding fathers.

Neither Christ nor Christianity is mentioned in the U.S. Constitution as our country’s religion. Religious freedom and protection from the government and its elected officials treating their government meeting places like their personal church is mentioned. At last count, there were more than 90 types of religions — Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons — that don’t share your narrow point of view on religion. Protecting everyone’s beliefs, not just the majority, was the intent of our founding fathers. I do not want my government in my church. I do not want your church in my government.

While you self-righteously wrap yourself in the flag and pound your Bible, most of us would appreciate your not wiping your feet on the Constitution.

— Michael S. Young

Salisbury

Stand your ground

You go, Jim Sides and Chad Mitchell. Stand your ground on the thing our country was founded on and keep fighting for the prayers to continue the way they should.

It is people like the ACLU that have taken away most of our freedom to speak for what we believe in. Until Christians uphold the name of Jesus we will be put down.

Chad, I will go your bond anytime if you stick to your stand on this.

If you don’t want to hear these prayers, stay away from the County Commission meeting and watch TV or something and keep to yourself. I am proud to stand with these guys.

God bless America and what she stands for, “Freedom.”

— Shirley Alexander

Salisbury