The ‘conscience rule’
and religious freedom
Though the U.S. Constitution clearly guarantees religious freedom, our culture has become increasingly anti-Christian. Political correctness dictates that we should be tolerant of everyone and everything ó except Christianity. And now the government, in its slow, subtle way, is joining in.
It was recently reported the Obama administration was going to rescind the “conscience rule.” This rule allows health-care workers to not participate in abortions (or other medical actions) if it is contrary to their religious beliefs. So, if this rule is rescinded, those who do not wish to participate in abortions could lose their jobs or be punished because of their religious beliefs.
Further evidence of the administrations anti-Christian tone can be found in the recently passed spending bill. Under the “greening” of our nation’s schools section of the bill, there are funds to be used for “modernization, renovation or repair” of higher education facilities, but these funds are prohibited in schools where religious activities or services are held. It is very common in our nation for smaller churches to rent a school facility for Sunday services, but we will begin to see this dwindle.
Though many do not claim Christianity or another religion, it is undeniable the influence of religion, and specifically Christianity, on our nation and its formation. I believe much of America would not agree with these two examples, and frankly, much of this is happening because we don’t know what our politicians are doing. I would encourage everyone to stay informed and let Washington hear your voice.
ó Darin Wiggins
Mt. Ulla
Support restrictions on indoor smoking
Regarding the March 12 article about the proposed ban on smoking in all indoor work sites and public places:
I strongly agree with this ban, but I have another problem with irresponsible parents who repeatedly subject their children to cigarette smoke in the home and in cars with no way of escaping it. I would like to see this stopped also and for the parents to be held accountable. We all should contact our legislators and help protect our children.
ó Brenda Stiller
Salisbury
Institute Street: Keep name the same
Institute Street is historic and part of the first name for Livingstone College (Zion Wesley Institute). For more than 30 years, I have enjoyed living on this street. As children, we used to play games to see how many street names we could spell, and Institute was one of our favorites.
Our children are being reared on this famous street, and we are proud to be part of this historical and sentimental street, dating back to my early childhood years.
There is no rational reason to change Institute Street to Livingstone College Way, and “beautification” will not benefit residents. I envision added traffic and dark hiding places among the additional maples and oaks that would be planted on our narrow street, even with the proposed new lighting. (Keep the trees on campus.) My husband and a neighbor pick up trash daily that litters the street.
These additions will not improve the education of the students. As someone mentioned earlier, Institute Street was once unpaved, but that had no effect upon the students attending the college nor those planning to enroll.
Students came to Livingstone College to get an academic education, not to receive a degree in Beautification 101.
We do not appreciate being repeatedly coerced to sign a petition that we don’t care to sign, giving our street name away.
ó Cheryl B. Cuthbertson
Salisbury
Young people need safe place to hang out
The city of salisbury is small, but there are many places to visit ó for example, restaurants, malls and movie theaters. A lot of kids my age and older enjoy going to places like these.
Some kids who are less fortunate and do not have the money to go sometimes hang out in the wrong places with the wrong people. These kids will sometimes be persuaded to commit crimes or get into trouble. If they had somewhere to go without having to have money, somewhere to help them stay out of trouble, then maybe there would be a little less crime. Instead of building movie theaters and restaurants, maybe someone could build a center for kids to got to for free, meet new people and enjoy a good environment. Salisbury would be a different place if there was something like this here.
If someone were to disagree with me then, they must not care whether kids have a good and safe childhood and future. Some people may say this center is a bad idea because it would take up more money. But the community could work together to start fundraisers in schools, restaurants and churches to raise money for the center. This is a good idea because it will change a lot of kids’ lives. The children could go there for a couple hours a day, and they could do hands-on projects and fun learning things to make them realize that there is no need to get into trouble. A name for the center should be something persuasive and motivating to help parents encourage their kids to participate to change their lives.
ó Tonya Winecoff
Salisbury
We need to hear truth about the economy
Having read articles, editorials and heard TV commentators say President Obama is being negative because he is telling us that the economy is going to come back slowly, that we must work together and that things may get worse before they get better, I cannot agree that a rosier-than-true spin should be put on his comments in order to get us to spend more money and give us a false sense of security.
We have been lied to so long that we have been taken advantage of as individuals, taxpayers, investors and consumers. He is not preaching doom and gloom. He is trying to let us know that this mess is not going to be taken care of in a day, and some companies who have handled their business affairs in a bad way may go under in favor of new companies doing business in an ethical manner, which will lead to protection for all of us.
It seems to me that some people want to be lied to in order to feel better. That is how we got into this mess in the first place.
You can’t fix what you won’t acknowledge. I am enjoying the truth, even if it is not pleasant, even though I am sure we do not really know how bad things are, or we would panic.
ó Ken Dennis
China Grove
Cut CEO salaries, pay employees more
I am having a really hard time trying to understand the way top managers and top officials are being paid. Instead of the school system laying off teachers and/or shutting schools down to save money, why don’t they cut the pay of the superintendents? I don’t believe any of them should be making a six-figure salary.
If all CEOs and VPs cut their salaries along with their bonuses, the economy wouldn’t be in as bad a shape as it is now!
Give the money to the employees. They forget that the employees are making the money for the school, plant or business. The banker in Florida who gave his employees all that money he received from selling his bank should receive the highest award the president hands out. That is a very smart man! Also, they need to put a stop to paying all these sports players so much money.
There is not one single person worth over $400,000 a year except for the president of the United States of America. No one!
ó David B. Harmon
Salisbury