LETTERS

LITTLE ROCK — It’s simply his politics

I did not cast a vote for Barack Obama-not because of his race, nor because he was a Democrat. I simply do not agree with his politics.

I do not agree with same-sex marriage because I think gays, lesbians and transsexual people are second class citizens. I disagree because the Bible specifically warns of the consequences of that lifestyle. Regardless of my personal feelings, I must obey God, rather than man.

I do not agree with abortion, not because I think a woman shouldn’t have control of her own body, but because the Bible tells me that all life is precious, even the unborn. I am concerned that of the over 40 million babies aborted since 1974, that one of them may have been the one who would grow up to find the cure for cancer, multiple sclerosis, lupus or other dreaded diseases.

According to the “New Your Times,” only about 1 percent of abortions are due to rape or incest; 3 percent are performed due to health concerns for the mother. The remainder are primarily performed as a means of birth control.

And, I do not hate any of those who hold views contrary to mine. They have the freedom, at least for now, to express themselves and their opinion.

Obama is our elected president for the next four years and we are told, as Christians, to pray for him, not to slander him. But we do not have to agree with him.

DANNY DRAPER

Little Rock

Accept responsibility

Re Joe Franzetti’s letter and those of other men who rant against abortion: You have no right to talk about abortion until you men take responsibility for your role. Until then, the only thing I want to hear from you is the sound of your pants being zipped up and your wallets being opened.

I haven’t read one letter that shames men who father children but do not support them. I know men who move from state to state, fathering children while avoiding child-support laws.

I want to hear men promoting laws to require men to support their children. I want to hear the churches admonishing men for their failure to support their children.

So, if you don’t want abortions, don’t get women pregnant. If you don’t want abortions, provide for those women and children for 18 years. As a taxpayer, I’m tired of paying for men’s disregard of their offspring.

So men: Zip up, put up or shut up.

KAREN SCHWEIZER

Flippin

Respect for the dead

In a Middle Eastern war situation, the world public is bombarded by gruesome images and videos of dead Arab bodies, especially those of children.

Why do we never see similar carnage on the Israeli side? The answer is simple; it’s the Jewish principle of Kevod ha-Meit (showing respect for the dead). Among Jews, a dead body is seldom displayed for public viewing, So much the more so for a burnt, dismembered or disfigured body.

Traditionally, the body is washed by members of the burial society (Hevra Kaddisha), dressed in shrouds, and then placed in a coffin, which is sealed.

Traditional Judaism frowns on the public viewing of a corpse, let alone parading it through the streets.

JEROME S. FOX

Hot Springs

Learn to compromise

Since the election, I have had such an overwhelming sense of sadness I couldn’t explain. After reading the letters in the paper one morning, I understand. One stated that white folks “should get your cotton sacks”; another said a vote for President Barack Obama is a rejection of God. I have witnessed so much hate and angst via email, letters to the editor, and in public, it’s tearing me apart. It’s no wonder our country is in such a state-people point their fingers at each other and tell you how God feels.

My faith in God is the priority in my life; I could not make it through my days without him. It shouldn’t matter as a Christian how one votes. What would Jesus do? Would he write hateful letters, or would he show love to the opposing side? Would he stand in judgment of those who don’t live the same lifestyle? Would he show disrespect to the leaders of our country? I truly believe he would show love, forgiveness and peace.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal recently said, “if we want people to like us, we have to like them first.” It’s time for us to understand that we all have opinions on everything; opposing another’s opinion is not discounting them as humans, it’s simply not agreeing. Perhaps if we all sat down and prayed together, then conversed as loving humans, we could find a way to solve many issues.

My biggest fear is that as a country we will be divided and conquered if we don’t learn to respect each other, compromise and work together.

DEB ROESENER

Bella Vista

Governmental reach

With the willingness of state and federal lawmakers to initiate social management laws, one would wonder about the constitutionality of such legislation.

As for the American citizen, the question of what’s next lingers in one’s memory. Having run the gantlet on other laws, lawmakers have turned their attention to what boils down to sins and self-destructive behavior. The role of government has been expanded now that religion is no longer honored but is merely tolerated. In the future, faith in the U.S. government will officially be defined as a religion. All other faiths will be relegated to irrelevance.

In this new religion, heaven and hell will be defined differently than the Roman, Christian, Jewish or Muslim versions, all of which seem so irrelevant to reality. Each person will be able to imagine his own hereafter and what his soul can expect after leaving the body. Any such imaginary things were previously considered taboo. With such liberties at hand, religions should become more competitive. The best agenda will attract the most members.

Like Hank sings in his song-if heaven ain’t a lot like Dixie, I’d just as soon stay home-everyone can do that. As one lives his life, he does everything possible to create heaven on earth for himself and his family. After death, he would want his soul to be free to do all the things that were desirable in life and avoid all those things that made life a living hell.

All such things should be achievable. If not, it is a waste of time.

LUCIAN SIMMONS

Oil Trough