Wouldn't be improper
It's probably not something a lot of readers want to hear, but a statue of Baphomet might not be entirely out of place on the state Capitol grounds. Not if true history were being told.
The statue being proposed owes its form more to 19th century French occultists than to any real pagans. Eliphas Levi (Louis Constant) published what is probably the most familiar image in his highly popular and influential History of Magic of 1860. Occultists and Freemasons of the age were much taken with ancient wisdom, guarding jealously their arcane stuff, encoding special words in Hebrew and employing further complications as needed. One simple method was a straightforward replacement code where A=Z, B=Y, C=X, etc., which when done in Hebrew letters (pardon my Latin script) turns B.Ph.O.M.T. into S.O.Ph.I.A.
And Sophia is Wisdom, so Baphomet is a code name for secret wisdom, and all the weird trappings of his/her (androgynous) image are symbolic.
High-degree initiated Freemasons made elaborate use of obscure symbolism in open display, as a quick trip to the Albert Pike Temple or Mount Holly Cemetery will prove. Mr. Pike almost single-handedly remade Scottish Rite Masonry in America. He would probably have recognized Baphomet, and maybe been amused.
The monument to the Ten Commandments is, by contrast, supposed not to be in any way symbolic, but rather strictly historical, literal even. I might have more faith in this claim if there was more evidence.
STANLEY G. JOHNSON
Little Rock
Did its beauty fade?
I find it interesting that so many folks talk about the fact that they moved to what they describe as a beautiful area of the country, i.e. Fayetteville, because of the beauty of the area and people and the inclusiveness of all folks, that that makes Fayetteville Funky. Those folks were happy.
Yet now, a small duo of folk from out of state makes us divisive where there was no problem before; they made an imaginary confrontation that didn't exist to begin with. Now you have decided that you are so disappointed with your new home.
What has changed? Nothing, other than the fact that you are allowing a small group of folks to continue limiting your ability to make your own decisions on who you decide to associate with or not. I always believed that was a very simple right of a democracy.
MARTY ANDERSON
Bella Vista
Court is writing laws
I believe Clerk Kim Davis is right; the Supreme Court wrote law, and that is unconstitutional. It appears Davis is protected by the First Amendment, though ivy (as in propaganda) educated judges can't read.
I believe that when one is ordered by government to deny their faith or resign, that is the government establishing a religion. Why not order that teaching against God is a violation of church and state? It seems being atheist is in truth religion and their god, though it is the devil who is their puppet master.
FLOYD HOPSON
Hazen
Wasn't the Air Force
Re the editorial "The Peacemakers": Midway through the piece is the quote, "'Peace is our profession.'--Motto of the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War as it kept the Strategic Air Command's bombers in flight ...".
This caught my attention, as I was a member of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the 1980s. This slogan was the motto of SAC, not the U.S. Air Force.
Small error? Certainly, but an error nonetheless!
DAVID A. LANDRY
Maumelle
All should follow laws
Re the letter from Deborah Springer Suttlar, I agree that we stole this land from the Native Americans. Unfortunately, that is the only thing in her letter that I do agree with.
Everybody in this country has equal rights; LGBT, blacks, whites and Hispanics all have equal rights. Gays can now marry, women can still murder their unborn babies. Blacks can kill each other at unprecedented rates, and of course, white people can still mass murder people at theaters, schools, churches, etc.
This country has a set of laws that many people don't follow, including our government. Apparently our government will not enforce immigration laws. I have no problem with legal immigration, but we have had a problem with illegal immigration for decades because our government will not enforce the laws.
As far as helping widows, children and strangers in this land, there is something called charity. My Bible says, "If a man won't work, he shall not eat." I don't have a problem supporting people who can't work. I have a huge problem supporting people who won't work.
Welfare started out as a helping hand. It is now a dependent drug for people who refuse to work. As long as a certain political party keeps these people oppressed into the "poor me" attitude, it will remain an integral voting bloc for them.
This country has many societal problems. Decay of the family unit, drugs, lack of parental oversight, lack of personal responsibility and lack of self-respect and respect for others. I said many years ago, when there are more people inside the cart than those pulling the cart, we are finished. Sadly, that day has arrived.
CHARLIE CRAIG
Searcy
Throwing cash away
The state of Arkansas has changed from Democratic to Republican. However, it seems the good ol' boy policy has not.
Note that Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed John Campbell (I'm assuming a Republican) to replace retiring Mike Beebe Democratic appointee Ron Oliver to the state racing panel at a salary of $65,324. Oliver was being paid $77,538.
Great salaries if you are a buddy of someone.
The racing season lasts a little over 90 days. How can that type of salary be justified?
Also, I assume that both of these gentlemen are old enough to qualify for Social Security benefits. Can we not find anybody younger who really needs a job to fulfill these appointments?
Just another example of why the state lags behind other states.
NICK PALANGIO
Damascus
Love and commitment
Sharon Randall's recent column discussing the concerns of families for beloved students and their teachers was informative, inspiring, and encouraging.
Prayer is a gift of love and commitment. May the tribe of prayer warriors increase.
KAY HICKS
Little Rock
Editorial on 09/04/2015