Evangelism and the American way
Re: “Man of cloth and clout; Pastor changing the way evangelicals think about public life,” Oct. 30 news story.
Among Ted Haggard’s deeply held beliefs, as reported in last Sunday’s Denver Post, is that “evangelism is the answer.” Haggard and his National Association of Evangelicals promote the active participation of evangelical Christians and their conservative agenda in the political process on every level: local, state and national.
If the weekly conference calls with the White House, as reported in The Post, are any indication, the influence of this trend is chilling to those of us who care about the protection of individual liberty and preserving the separation of church and state. While his premise that Christians should be active participants in the secular world around them (as, I think, should Buddhists, Jews and atheists) is laudable, the contradiction in Haggard’s philosophy is that those of like mind would legislate what they have not successfully evangelized.
As a man of faith, Haggard should know that the Bible says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19); the Bible does not say “Go ye therefore and dominate all nations with a Christian rule of law, subjugating them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
My pastor back home would call this lazy evangelism; Haggard would do well to keep his evangelism in his church and in his daily life, and keep it out of our White House, our Congress and our courts.
Brian Clay Luedloff, Greeley
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I read with interest your front-page story on Ted Haggard. Why is this man having a weekly conference call with the Bush administration and helping to set policies that affect many who don’t believe as he does? I think our Bill of Rights calls for a separation of church and state.
It is very simple: If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one – but don’t impose your views on others. Abortion is legal; get used to it. If you don’t approve of gay marriage, then don’t belong to a church that allows it. But allow same-sex couples to have legal unions and a marriage performed where it is allowed. I am tired of having my rights and those of others curtailed by religious leaders who have no place in government.
Gayle Merves, Lone Tree
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Once again I opened the Sunday Post to see a huge front-page story about the doings of evangelical Christians.
The Rocky Mountian News is just as bad, dogmatically including, in the interview of every victim of adversity, a profession of how her faith helped her through, how he prayed to God to get through the tough times.
I would like, for a change, to see an interview with someone who has based his or her decision as to what is true on evidence, rather than on prayer; and who also understands what competent evidence is. Evidence is competent if it is statistically significant. Unfortunately, there is no statistically significant evidence showing that prayer has ever averted a crime or a natural disaster; and evangelical Christians are not the ones finding cures for diseases, writing great literature, or exploring Mars, regardless of how earnest they are.
I, for one, am tired of the incessant publicity given to the beliefs, the ultracritical judgments, and the activities of people whose opinions are so completely lacking in support.
Alison Maynard, Denver
Mental illness and suicide
Re: “Bipolar illness left son with ‘too much pain,”‘ Oct. 16 obituary.
The Post’s obituary about Terry Klugman was an all-too-painful reminder about suicide. A bright and talented son, brother, friend and loved young man left this world much too soon.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated circumstance in a state that ranks seventh- highest in the nation for suicide. In 2003, 718 Coloradans died as a result of suicide, more people than die in fatal automobile accidents. And in 2004, 808 took their lives. The message that needs to be heard loud and clear in light of these statistics and untimely deaths is that suicide is preventable.
The Mental Health Association of Colorado (MHAC), in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado, works to educate against the stigma of mental illness and untreated depression, two contributing factors to suicide. MHAC believes that knowledge is key in helping the one in five Coloradans and their families who will be affected by mental illness this year. We believe that reducing stigma and improving access to quality mental health care in every corner of the state are crucial steps in helping those who may be considering suicide. We can all save a life if we know how.
Professional help is available. Find resources in your area. Information about mental disorders such as bipolar illness, depression/anxiety screenings and tips for what you can do to help a loved one are all available free online at www.mhacolorado.org. If you or some near to you is contemplating suicide, a help hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE. Don’t take threats lightly. Learn what you can about mental illness and suicide.
Jeanne M. Rohner, Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Colorado
Sharon Wink, President, Board of Directors, Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado
Answer to cartoonist’s question on Iraq deaths
Is Atlanta Journal-Constitution political cartoonist Mike Luckovich really as naïve as his “WHY?” cartoon (Oct. 30) makes him appear – or did he just spend his time in his high school American history class doodling or dozing?
He wants to know why 2,000 American servicemen and women have died in Iraq. It’s for the same reason that the American military has always fought and died: because sometimes our national interest requires sacrifice. Let’s review:
Twenty-five thousand Americans died to secure our independence from Great Britain; 529,000 Americans died during the Civil War in order to preserve (or, if you’re from the South, secede from) the Union and free (or retain) the slaves; 116,500 Americans died to stop the bloodletting during the European Civil War (later known as World War I) in which 9 million people perished; more than 400,000 Americans died during World War II (a war in which 50 million people died) to stop German and Italian fascism and Japanese imperialism; 54,000 Americans died in Korea and another 58,000 died in Vietnam to stop the spread of Communism; and more than 2,000 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan to stop the spread of Islamofascism and its very real threat to civilization.
Now do you get it, Mr. Luckovich?
Flint Whitlock, Denver
Anti-abortion protest in front of community church
Members of Montview Presbyterian Church were greeted last Sunday with images of aborted fetuses on very large posters on our sidewalks. The group protesting in front of our church also shouted anti-homosexual slogans and accusations at our clergy.
Ours is a community of faith. The words of our co-pastor, Greg Cummins, state our mission: Whether you are pro- life or pro-choice, you are welcome at Montview. Whether you are black or white, you are welcome at Montview. Whether you are gay or straight, you are welcome at Montview. We do not exclude families or individuals based on their viewpoints.
The hallmark of any progressive discussion is a dialogue based on mutual respect. It is the absence of respect for our tolerance that frustrates me. I object to this group taking these horribly graphic images to a place of worship where families and young children gather to find peace.
There is a place for the abortion debate and there is a place to debate homosexuality. But that place is not in front of my church on Sunday morning with my child present. I do not know which group was responsible for the demonstration last Sunday morning, but I am certain that each of you will be invited by the clergy and members of Montview to enter into a dialogue with us.
I would ask only that you come to us again with an open mind and a measured respect for the way we discuss issues. There is no need to bully us or harass our families.
Matthew J. Casebolt, Denver
Vice president of torture
Re: “The V.P. who advocates torture,” editorial reprinted from The Washington Post, Oct. 26.
Dick Cheney continues to put the “vice” in vice president like none of his predecessors. If Cheney is so set on using torture to protect “national security,” would he recommend that Patrick Fitzgerald be authorized to use it on Lewis Libby, Karl Rove and maybe even himself to find out who leaked the name of a CIA operative to the press and the reason it was done?
While Fitzgerald has the electrodes attached, maybe he can find out why we really sent more than 2,000 of our soldiers to die in Iraq.
It seems we have fallen to new ethical lows under this administration. Certainly not in anything really important, like private sexual misconduct, but on such mundane things as honesty, fairness, human decency, helping our fellow man and remembering what America is supposed to be about.
James C. Bailey Jr., Boulder
Remembering the history of Rocky Flats
The Rocky Flats Cold War Museum board of directors has noted with interest the many recent stories that have appeared regarding the cleanup and closure of the Rocky Flats weapons production site. Removal of some 800 buildings as well as radioactive and toxic materials from the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant is a major accomplishment.
To make sure the history of the plant was not lost as the buildings and their contents disappeared, a diverse group of dedicated volunteers started working about five years ago to save artifacts from the site. Thus the Rocky Flats Cold War Museum was formed to help preserve the historical memory of a place with local, national and international significance.
The museum also received a State Historical Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society to help preserve the history of this controversial and interesting site by videotaping the oral histories and stories of former plant workers. The triggers for nuclear weapons that they produced are still part of the national defense stockpile.
These stories, and the controversy the plant engendered in the community, make for fascinating material for educational and interpretive programs at a future museum. We urge all interested citizens to volunteer to help us create a museum to document this intriguing part of local, national and international history. Our goal is to document all aspects of the story, from workers to protesters to the broader Cold War context, in a museum located at or near the former plant site.
For more information, check out the museum’s website at www.rockyflatscoldwarmuseum.org or write to Rocky Flats Cold War Museum, P.O. Box 871, Arvada, 80001- 8101.
Rocky Flats is gone, but will never be forgotten.
Kim Grant, President, Rocky Flats Cold War Museum, Denver
Boondocks comic strip
Once again, I have opened my Sunday paper to find hatefulness where humor should be.
Why carry the Boondocks comic strip when week after week it contains hate, scorn, ridicule and such? Even the artwork that heads the strip shows the young boy with a look of hate and anger on his face. Last Sunday’s strip was particularly bad in that it has a personally insulting theme against an unelected individual.
While the constant, open ridicule of our nation’s president in this strip is bad enough, this most recent hatefulness really steps over the line.
Please remove this strip from your lineup of Sunday comics. It is not funny and constantly espouses controversial, hate-filled opinions that have no place on the comics page.
Harvey Whitcomb, Centennial
Post’s front-page endorsement of Refs. C, D
Re: “C, D will calm fiscal hurricane,” Oct. 30 editorial.
I was surprised to see an editorial so profoundly featured on the front page of The Denver Post two days before the election. While readers clearly know the opinion of both The Post and the Rocky Mountain News, with respect to Referendums C and D, this prominent feature crossed the line between political action and opinion.
The Post’s front-page editorial escalated both newspapers’ editorial opinions to the level of fact. The Denver Newspaper Agency has lost its oversight on creating a culture of balanced reporting of the facts and descended into the depths of mud raking. Particularly distressing is omission of the equally relevant and competing view of the referendums.
The DNA, through its agents, The Post and the News, has used its joint Sunday voice to drown out opposing views, opinions and facts without providing the same prominent treatment and opportunity for expression of opinions. Fair journalism has been sacrificed for a “we know best” position. With just two days before the eletion, there was no other opportunity to provide as significant and prominent a display in both daily newspapers for competing views.
William Tucker, Arvada
Editor’s note: The Post’s editorial, which was labeled as such on the cover of last Sunday’s edition, represented only the views of the Denver Post editorial board. It did not represent the views of the Rocky Mountain News or the Denver Newspaper Agency.
TO THE POINT: Short takes from readers
Condoleezza Rice said, “It’s not conceivable that the Sunnis and the Shias are going to overcome hundreds of years of differences within a matter of a couple of years.” Too bad she didn’t tell her boss that before he went into Iraq.
Charleen D. Roberts, Greenwood Village
I know it’s fashionable to fret that a wild bird virus might mutate and wipe us out. But I’m still fretting about that old monkey virus that never got us. Meanwhile, more people die from improperly cooked food than wild monkeys or migrating birds.
Bill Jambura, Colorado Springs
The scandal in Washington is not that Scooter Libby lied to the FBI and grand jury about outing Valerie Wilson. The scandal is that the Bush administration lied to the American people about the need to engage our country in a pre-emptive war.
Ed Pluss, Denver
How ironic that while Rosa Parks was lying in honor in the Capitol rotunda (the first woman to do so), our president chooses to nominate another white male to the U.S. Supreme Court. Rosa refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. President Bush will place a white man into one of the most influential seats in government. We have come a long way, Rosa, but we still have far to go.
Jeffrey Kieft, Denver
When President Bush realized that his domestic agenda was a total failure, he started a war in Iraq to take our attention off of the mess he’d made over here. Now, with the Alito nomination, the president has started a “war” over here to take our attention off of the mess he’s made in Iraq. What a way to run a country.
Scott Jurdem, Denver
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