A Sane Christian

This is what I mean when I rant about the need for Christians who are true to their faith speaking out against the unethical religious right noise machine. The following letter to the editor is an example of just that. We need more like this woman .... much much more, but that her voice is raised at all is a victory.

Reader Views: Relationship with Christ can't be legislated

To Mr. Larry Fisher: I find your column in [Friday's] paper both inflammatory and insulting. Since you did not answer the phone number published, I will resort to email.

I am a 58-year-old Christian widow, live in Searcy, and I do not believe in the homosexual lifestyle. However, I agree with our Senators and Representative that the definition of marriage should be addressed by States.

How dare you lump all "liberals" in one basket and declare that we have "no absolutes" in our beliefs. It would be easy to assume that all conservatives are like you, and state that they get in everyone's business and think they know everything ... absolutely! Very few things in this world are absolute - there's lots of gray.

Everyone will have to answer to God for his/her transgressions, on a personal basis. Not on the basis of what someone else believes or laws that are passed. Marriage laws passed by man will not cause one homosexual to make it past the Pearly Gates. Nor will they stop anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ from entering.

So tell me, Mr. Fisher, who are you protecting? The statement "unless this is stopped, there will be polygamy soon" is both ludicrous and inflammatory, with absolutely no basis in fact. For that matter, we have states who already overlook polygamy. Their beliefs will have no impact on my ability to enter Heaven.

As for the judges who can't seem to make it past the Senate - How dare you play the race card! If there is any group who judges people by skin color, it would be radical conservatives such as yourself. Look at the makeup of the Democratic Party. The filibuster was used on Clinton nominees, but now that it doesn't work for the little Bush groupies, we're ready to throw out a 200-year-old tradition! I say this is typical of right wing conservatives who have decided what we all should believe and will go to any extreme to ram you own beliefs down the throats of anyone who dares to think differently!

The biggest difference I see in liberal and conservative views, is that I'm perfectly happy allowing you to think that you and people like you will be the only ones admitted to Heaven; while you feel that you must protect the rest of us from our own "misguided" thoughts by passing laws that will protect us from ourselves! My relationship with Jesus Christ is none of your business - and it can't be legislated.

I normally refuse to read your "editorials" and wish I have skipped over it today as well. But I have concerns that extremists like you are being published and taking to the airwaves, while those of us who feel differently sit back and chuckle at your statements, thinking that sound thinking adults will see it for what it is. Maybe more of us need to speak up so that your opinions don't become the only ones expressed.

You will, undoubtedly, continue the self-righteous Bible thumping. But in my humble opinion, when thumping, you have about as much chance of converting the heathen to Christianity, as Muslim extremists have in converting the world to their religion by flying large planes into tall buildings.

Loretta Rainbolt

Searcy

Bravo Ms. Rainbolt, bravo.

IA