Dear Editor, First of all, I would like to thank the people and
organizations that provide for those in need, especially at this
time of year. Your thoughts and time are greatly appreciated.
Respect those who have to ask for help this time of year
Dear Editor,
First of all, I would like to thank the people and organizations that provide for those in need, especially at this time of year. Your thoughts and time are greatly appreciated.
That being said, I would like to mention an incident that occurred to me at Catholic Outreach when I went to pick up food. After looking up my name in the book, the intake person made an abrupt comment about how it seemed the people in my household should be working, especially considering our ages. She is right, we should be working. Unfortunately, there are not enough jobs to go around.
I am a native of this community and have always paid my taxes. To be laid off from the job I loved was devastating. Even more devastating has been all the months since while I struggled to find work, pay rent and buy the prescription medications I need. And most of all, watching my elderly parents file for bankruptcy and unable to help them. I do not fritter my money away. I don’t have a computer or cable television, and I can’t remember the last time I bought clothes. My father is very ill and I’d love for him to see me marry my high school sweetheart before he passes on, but although my fiance and I have been engaged for some time, we’ve been unable to put aside anything for a wedding.
No matter how bad things seem though, I remind myself that there are people much worse off. And, I try to give back where I can. I share the little I have with those less fortunate, such as my neighbor who is a single mon and hasn’t seen child support in years. I was always able to get by before so to have to ask for help now is not easy.
I don’t mind that we cannot afford a Christmas tree this year. We do not have presents to put under it anyway. As far as I’m concerned I already have the most important gift, which is the love of family and friends. I don’t even mind that we probably won’t have much of anything special for Christmas dinner. But, I do mind being judged and humiliated by people who don’t know all my circumstance. Please, let’s all stop and think before we jump to conclusions. It could help save someone’s pride. Thank you.
Many holiday blessings and joyful hopes for a better year for us all.
Marie G., Morgan Hill
Kudos to Burt Anderson for speaking out on behalf of believers
Dear Editor,
My heart-felt thanks to Burton Anderson (Burt’s Bits) for speaking out on behalf of believers everywhere, and for saying what we think, but don’t always express. Our country is (not was) based on Biblical principles, and because of that we were blessed.
Don’t give up your freedoms without a fight! God is bigger than all of us, and if He is for us, who can stand against us?
Sandra Headley, Morgan Hill
Column distorts facts, rewrites history of our country
Dear Editor,
There he goes again. Burt Anderson has a vivid imagination when it comes to rewriting history to reflect his biased perspective. Burt, there are a few things we share:
We stand and place our hand over our heart when the national anthem is played.
We treat our veterans with great respect.
We would never burn our American flag.
We know what we believe and aren’t afraid to say so.
And, we say, “Merry Christmas!”
There are also several things we do not share:
While I do not object to people praying, I would hope they exercise their right to pray privately.
I am offended by the “one nation under God” phrase. The Constitution is godless.
I do protest when public money is used to promote any religion, including Christianity.
I do not try to rewrite history surrounding the founders of our country. Most of them were deists with a belief in a higher power of no denomination or specific religion. That is historical fact. They did value religion in general as a unifying social force, without any denominational bias. Historical fact again.
I know that we are definitely not a Christian nation and our founders were clear on that. Historical fact: Thomas Jefferson wrote of the value of a “wall of separation between church and state.” This led to the Establishment Clause in the Constitution.
It says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
In other words, freedom for religion of any sort, and freedom from religion of any sort. Our Constitution was written to guarantee certain rights and freedoms. It was also designed to protect minorities against the tyranny of the majority. When you and others try to suggest that we must be a Christian nation and then perpetuate false claims about the forefathers to justify your position, it is you who is acting in an un-American way. Yes I regard those who would pervert our Constitution as un-American.
George Washington’s prayer is another of these manufactured bits of historical interpretation. There was no such prayer. The text of his letter to the governors which has been distorted by some Christian believers into a prayer was actually a plea for unity among the states and citizens of our young country.
Thankfully most Christians are not disposed to impose their beliefs on others. They have empathy and understanding. They do not force others to believe their way because they are confident and comfortable in their beliefs. Rather Christ like.
John N. Quick, DVM, Morgan Hill
