Inconvenient truths
As he builds his case for universal acceptance, I believe Mr. Ray Niblock, the lawyer, priest and bishop, commits a critical category-error fallacy by assuming that all people are God's children.
I believe that, biblically, not all people are children of God even though they were created in his likeness. Mr. Niblock's notion obliterates crucial biblical categories of the children of God and children of the devil. John's gospel universally offers the incredible right/privilege to become children of God by receiving and believing God's son. As a member of God's family, one has all the rights and privileges that accompany this new glorious relationship now and forever. This is a special, select group that, by its nature, is exclusive because membership requires believing God on his terms.
Not everyone was Jesus' brother. When his family came looking for him, Jesus asked, "Who are my mother and brothers?" Answering himself, Jesus said, "Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother," thus poignantly describing his spiritual family.
Jesus had real enemies. He truly loved them by warning of God's wrath. His deep concern drove him to tell them of the impending dangers, as even a cursory reading of the gospels reveals. I believe anything less doesn't reach the standard of God's love. Genuine love is extreme, unpopular, often misunderstood, and can prove very costly to the lover who seeks the best for others. The idea that not everyone is a child of God is an inconvenient truth.
JOHN LITTLEJOHN
Siloam Springs
Misleading the public
I read the recent letter by Ray Niblock and was amazed that he was able to pass himself off as a Catholic priest and bishop. Mr. Niblock has those titles in an organization called The Old Catholic Church of The Americas, which is not associated with the Roman Catholic Church.
If I created a Catholic Church of Dale, I believe it would be misleading for me to publicly announce that I am a Catholic bishop or priest, especially when commenting on important social policy.
DALE LANGE
Bella Vista
Was a breach of trust
I agree with Joe Tucker. This situation raises several questions. Did the team want to lose the game if it meant Brandon playing? Did the coach want to lose the game if Brandon stayed in? Why did Brandon not take himself out when he threw the second wild pass to an open man? Who is the coach in this scenario, Brandon or that big guy? Perhaps the offensive coordinator should have had some input.
My experience has been that most teams want to win and most coaches (Steve Spurrier being the exception) will not change quarterbacks unless an arm is broken. It seems Brandon is playing for Brandon, not the team.
I thought before this game that Coach B had as broad a fan base as seen here in a long time. Now, this moment of importance with indecision has created a serious breach in trust. I mean, what level of thinking is involved in this big-time Division I football. It’s scary. What will he do next time? No matter how great this freshman performs in the spring, he ain’t got no chance until Brandon graduates. If I were a recruit at any position, this would give me serious pause in my decision.
I think Coach B needs to address this issue in a special thought-out manner on how one player’s desires will never again be reflected in the win/loss column.
RICHARD PLANT
Little Rock
Solution’s pretty easy
I think I have a solution to racial profiling: Don’t do the crime. That benefits everybody.
RICHARD WITHERSPOON
Rockport
Persecution is coming
Religion can be one of the most controversial topics, I think mainly because people don’t like being told how to live their lives. Lewis Neidhardt recently said that persecution of Christians does not happen in the United States, and I agree with him to an extent. Even though Christians do not get persecuted much in the United States now, I feel a change coming where Christians will soon be persecuted just like in the rest of the world.
The United States is changing as fast as technology is changing. It has especially accelerated with the invention of social media. It seems social media has quite an influence on this generation because of all the ads and videos they see online. According to Daniel Newman: “More than 5,000 advertisements get thrown at us every day, leaving us to discern the good from the bad, and the useful from everything else.” Many ads or videos thrown at us are built to be appealing and satisfy our sinful nature. With this much of an influence, many people today see it as normal and embrace it, but I believe as a Christian it is a war inside our hearts and souls.
Since people are giving in to their sinful nature, it now seems as if it is the norm. A large topic would be homosexuality. it appears the world is more accepting of it now and it doesn’t seem to be stopping or slowing down. Now with that growing, I’m sure the Christian population no doubt will continue to decrease as well and soon, Christians will be persecuted just as they are now elsewhere.
CHARLIE LAO
Rogers
Ensure a safe future
We don’t often have the opportunity to address two serious issues with one set of actions, but we are faced with such an opportunity now. The issues are the deadly health effects of small-particle coal-ash pollution and climate change caused by ever-increasing greenhouse-gas (carbon dioxide) emissions.
Coal ash from Entergy’s White Bluff and Independence Coal Plants makes thousands of Arkansans sick each year and kills hundreds. Many of these are children. The health-care costs are substantial.
From 2005-2012, Arkansas had the largest increase in carbon dioxide emissions of any state, going up by 35 percent, while all but seven other states reduced emissions, according to earthjustice.org. Our state’s solar and wind energy potential remains largely untapped, although laws to stimulate its development would provide significant job and economic growth.
Here is what we can do to address both problems: (1) pass a distributive-generation bill to promote adoption of renewable energy; (2) encourage (not block) adoption of the new EPA carbon-emission cutbacks; (3) encourage energy-efficient building codes; (4) pass a national carbon fee and dividend.
With the same set of actions, I believe we can reduce our health risks now, and help ensure a safe future tomorrow.
DONNAL WALTER
Roland
Editorial on 12/13/2014