My thanks to Mary Ellen Ashcroft for her excellent article on the misuse of the Bible in the Sept. 15 issue. For years it has irritated me that people would cherrypick passages in order to supposedly validate their view on some matter or other. Others, who took issue with that view, would respond with different passages to validate their opinion.
As a result I came to the feeling that when Bible passages are quoted, that person has lost the debate because they have no further useful information to add to the discussion. Eventually I questioned if the Bible is really of any value since any belief can be supported or refuted by the use of Bible passages.
Perhaps, as Ms. Ashcroft writes, it can be of value if used properly. I am aware of people finding comfort in times of sorrow and strength in times of adversity with the Bible.
However, my feeling is that it is fine for one to use it to guide their life, but do not use it to tell me how I should live mine. Not everyone is a Christian (I’m not sure if I still am, or not) and they, too, have a right to their religious (or lack thereof) beliefs.
Bill Peterson
Grand Marais
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