Response to Sept. 8 letters from Geri Jensen and Jake Hjorth:
I’m glad we agree that Akin’s statement was thoughtless and hurtful. Yes, someone did explain.
I’m also glad to see we agree that “the church should not run the government” but our definition of church might differ. To me it means the corporate church acting as a whole while yours might be individual members?
Freedom to follow one’s religion is a given but it is becoming more and more evident that quite a few people are beginning to argue that this does not include Christians. Also freedom to follow individual beliefs stops when it is damaging to our country. Like it or not this country was founded on Christian principles.
Abortion is a case in point. Women were given the responsibility and privilege of being the means by which humanity exists. Arguments aside, when the egg and sperm merge all that remains is for growth to take place. It is a person.
When it comes to pregnancy as a result of rape I can at least understand that but with plenty of other means of birth control I don’t think abortion is an answer. And don’t bother to talk about their reliability. Failure accounts for only a small percentage of abortions.
Lastly, my belief that there is one and only one God is as valid as yours that there is no God. Jake, I will limit my comments to the Christian God since that is the basis this country was founded on.
All who claim to be Christians are not following the God of the Bible. Those who follow the Bible may choose to focus on certain aspects of God’s plan. Some on helping physically, some emotionally, some spiritually, some a balanced approach. Some have different tastes in music, whether formal or informally dressed, etc. Some prefer smaller groups, some large. All give to the needy in many ways.
Finally, I tell others about one God and His plan of redemption through Christ, because God requires it of me. I would appreciate your accepting my right to do so.
Nelda J. Westerlind
Grand Marais
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