Majestic sight can't be urged away
More than 50 years ago, a six-foot statue of Jesus Christ was erected at a mountain resort in Montana. It was to honor soldiers who told of similar shrines in the mountains of Italy during World War II.
An article (Nov. 25) tells about an atheist group that claims it violates the constitutional principle separating church and state. After a complaint, the group is urging the Forest Service to not renew the special permit for the memorial. The group's co-president said that a violation doesn't become less conspicuously bad or offensive because it's been there so long.
Let me quote Thomas Gray, "There are scenes that would awe an atheist into belief without the help of any other argument." Soon, and very soon, Jesus Christ will ascend from heaven, on a cloud, in all His glory, for the whole wide world to see. This group, nor any other, will not be able to urge this majestic sight away.
People can urge Congress to remove the word "God" from whatever they want, but Christ lives in the hearts of every Christian, and nothing can remove Him.
DENA SMITH
Dunlap, Tenn.
We must change how society works
At 15.1 percent, America's poverty rate has risen to its highest level since 1993 and the unemployment rate is bordering 9 percent.
The steady increase of these rates can be attributed to our society's mentality. The politicians of our country are constantly berating each other on personal beliefs, but what time are they spending addressing our nation's issues?
What time are they spending offering their solutions to poverty?
It is this failure to offer solutions and criticism-centered society that hinders poverty alleviation. So it is up to us as Americans to take a stand.
We need to rise up and change the way our society works, leading to the betterment of the overall condition of our society.
ANJALI CHANDRA
Many residents put in a sad spot
St. Barnabas closing. For the last nine years, my 90-year-old young mother has lived at St. Barnabas independent living. It has been her home, her garden, her dining room. She has been on the Residents Board, managed the gardens practically single handed, helped to update and create. She has a family who will help her move and find another home, but the trauma of this closing puts many of St. B's vulnerable residents in such a sad spot.
Yes, the property is valuable. Yes, the rents are too low. Yes, there is no good time to tell someone "find another home." But I believe there could have been kinder, gentler options for these seniors here at Christmas.
But money speaks, and often people with no voices or clout get kicked out of their homes, some with no place to go.
SARA FRANKLIN WILSON