I read with disappointment the opinion piece by Jeanette Strong. I was disappointed for two reasons - first, I think our local newspaper should be about local stuff, including letters to the editor. We get barraged enough about national issues in a variety of other places so let’s not pollute our fledgling local paper with national stuff unless it has some direct bearing on local issues. I would much rather see letters expressing viewpoints on bird cannons for instance. By the way, the article by Leanna Lehman was very well written and I thought fairly balanced. I live near a dairy and have no problem with efforts to get rid of starlings.
The second reason I was disappointed with the opinion piece by Ms. Strong is that it appears she has very selective theology when it comes to Christian teachings. Her opinions express what seemed to me to be judgmental attitudes and bias. It really seemed more about bashing our former president and republicans in general than it was about loving our neighbors. I would ask Ms. Strong to consider Jesus words in Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye...”
If we want to promote loving our neighbor as our self, let’s start with ourselves. Are republicans sinners? Yes. Are democrats sinners? Yes. Are non-partisans sinners? Yes. In fact the Bible teaches that every man, woman, and child every born is a sinner. We all fail to live up to God’s standards. We all need His loving kindness and saving grace. We are not going to solve our nation’s problems by blaming a paticular person, political party, or group. If we have any hope of erasing hatred, bias, racism, and all the other woes in this world, we need to begin with a strong dose of humility toward God and then listening patiently to one another.
I have strong respect for people who serve in public office at whatever level if they are truly serving others for the greater good, but I agree that it is hard not to despise leaders of whatever part if they are clearly serving out of selfish motives for pride, power, or fame (and sometimes money). I really pray for more people to read the Bible, and fear God. The Bible says that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom.
Dale White
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