Race and politics
In a commentary by Jay Ambrose (The Chattanooga Times, 2/9/2014), he discusses the following: A 1965 report by Daniel Moyniham while he was assistant secretary of labor noted that 24 percent of black women were having babies without being married while the national average was 7 percent. Mr. Ambrose continues as follows, "Others have noted how this work was dismissed by many and how the situation has since spiraled, not just among the blacks, whose illegitimacy rate today is 73 percent, but among just about all groups as the national average has climbed to 41 percent." In another commentary by Walter Williams, he points out that a number of cities have experienced significant widespread, teacher-led cheating on standardized academic achievement tests. Is there a correlation between the high illegitimacy rates, the teacher-led cheating scandals and the fact that all of the aforementioned cities are politically controlled by black mayors and presumably by black voters?? It's a sad state of affairs. I wish I had some suggestions for change/improvement. Do you think our politicians and/or religious leaders are aware of this? And do you think they really care? Hope better days are ahead for our country!
WILLIAM MURRAY, Blairsville, Ga.
What the Bible says
This letter responds to Matt Nevels' argument for homosexuality, from a "Bible-minded" (his term) Christian who isn't "phobic." 1) He writes "The sin of Sodom was not about homosexuality."Jude says (verse 7): "Don't forget Sodom that practiced every kind of sexual perversion." It wasn't "just" about homosexuality, but included it nonetheless. "The cry against them was great and their sin was grave." 2) He says: "Jesus did not address homosexuality." Jesus did address the broader sins of fornication ,which would include homosexuality (Matthew 15:19), and he did affirm God's declaration that marriage is between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4). Jesus came to the Jews, and they treated homosexuality as an abomination. There was no need for him to belabor the issue. Paul however, ministered to the gentiles, who needed it spelled out. He describes the lifestyle as "shameful acts" (Romans 1:18-20) and says those that practice this sin will "not inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9. 3) Finally, I have not found a translation yet that supports this lifestyle. It is sin (all types) that is the true "pandemic," not "homophobia." My hope is to share the truth in love.
REV. JOEY KELLY, Ringggold Ga.
What is Corker thinking?
On Monday, Volkswagen Chattanooga issued a statement that read in part "There is no connection between our Chattanooga employees' decision about whether to be represented by a union and the decision about where to build a new product for the U.S. market." On Wednesday, Sen. Bob Corker visited Chattanooga for the purpose of expressing his anti-union opinions and said in part: "I've had conversations today and based on those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga." Corker made his statement in the midst of an election by VWC employees whether to have the UAW represent them. What purpose could he have had in holding a press conference and making that statement, if not to intimidate the employees to vote against the union? After Frank Fischer, CEO and chairman of VW Chattanooga, countered Corker's assertion, Corker issued a statement that he is privy to information that Fischer is not and that he is confident his facts are true and accurate. If the UAW does not prevail in the election, Corker should be a witness at the hearing of the unfair labor practices charge. He also should be censured by the Senate.
Donald Strickland, Signal Mountain
Church leaders fear tax code
One thing will ultimately be responsible for driving America's churches "underground:" the pastors' and church leaders' fear of 501(c)3. America finds itself in the grip of an administration that is devoted to destroying the Constitution and our way of life. Our pastors literally fear losing their 501 (c)3 status and are not doing what God put them here for. They are admonished by the scriptures to be a light to a dark world by pointing out evil and rallying Christians to fight against that evil. You might say that the church is to "win souls" and "equip the saints," but how effective could we be at that if we wound up like North Korea or China and had to worship in the most secret places we could find? If Christians "tithe" or give money to the church only to get a tax write-off I think God would not want their money. It is time pastors, especially the ones who have a nationwide audience through television, stand up and expose this evil which is fast taking over every aspect of our lives before we also have to go "underground."
CHARLES H. BENSON
Obamacare safeguards health
With Obamacare, screenings for women's health are now included in our insurance coverage, without additional charges. The very act of making screenings included was a statement for their importance, a statement that reminded me of how excruciating it is to lose someone you love, especially when their death could have been avoided with early disease detection. This past December marked the 22nd year since my grandmother died from cervical cancer. In remembrance of her and in gratitude for the Obamacare reforms, I scheduled my recommended screenings and encouraged many other women to do so, as well. With these preventive screenings, fewer families will go through what mine did all those years ago. The most important statement made by the provisions of Obamacare is that women matter, that our quality of life matters, and that we are all worth the hard work it took to stare down the real "death panels" within the insurance industry, and the years it took to pass this particular legislation. With better coverage, our mothers and grandmothers will be with us on many more Christmases. Soon enough, Obamacare will be understood to be the most important pieces of legislation ever passed in Congress.
ANGELIA STINNETT, Hixson