Letters, Faxes, E-mails

To the Editor:
Mr. Watkins, go ask the mother of the 10-year-old who was riding his bike to school when he was hit and killed by a drunken driver, or the highway patrol officer who, while issuing a citation, was slammed by a drunken driver and must spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, how many tax dollars it will take to replace what they, along with countless others, have lost. I don’t discriminate or play favorites, but the line needs to be drawn somewhere.
Members of the liquor industry have their slogan, “Drink Responsibly,” which I guess they think gives them absolution, so they can continue raking in billions of dollars from the sale of their poison. You can be sure most, if not all, of the people driving after an evening of partying would fail the DUI test. Drink responsibly? Why drink at all? Who needs it?
I have no problem with bed-and-breakfast establishments, as long as that is really what they are. I know of a couple that are respectable, Christian-owned and operated for hunters, and teen centers that are well-chaperoned, clean and drug- and alcohol-free. I think they are a good thing.
Churches have enjoyed tax-exempt status because our legislators recognized the value of faith-based charitable organizations. Our church, though very small, helps support two ministries that feed the hungry and drill water wells in Third World countries where clean water is badly needed. Our pastor takes no salary, but works a job to supplement his Social Security. Most churches are good stewards of the money that comes in.
Sir, please do not lump Christianity in with religions of the world. Christianity, as taught by Jesus Christ, is based on love. Those people who flew into the Twin Towers on 9/11 are taught hate. They kill anyone who doesn’t agree with them. My faith is not in religion, but in a relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ. We are taught to show and tell others the gospel so they can know and choose for themselves. The only conflicting messages in the Bible are in the misinterpretation of the reader. The natural mind cannot understand it, apart from the help of the Holy Spirit. I know you hate it when people quote scripture, but it is the only source of truth. My reasoning, or yours, is nothing in comparison to God’s word.
Byron Lockwood
Tecumseh