Dear Editor:
I would like to opine partially in response to Denise Apuzzo’s
letter titled:
”
Tolerant toward religion.
”
Dear Editor:
I would like to opine partially in response to Denise Apuzzo’s letter titled: “Tolerant toward religion.” In it she describes her journey from her previous intolerant ways toward a higher consciousness of acceptance for most any religious group unless they “gather at a compound” or simply have a “whacky factor.”
Unfortunately, if Ms. Apuzzo were a mathematician or scientist (as my background is in), she would quickly realize that acceptance of any and all answers as true won’t get astronauts safely to the moon or allow surgical lasers to cauterize together then destroy human tissues. Why should there be “laws of nature” but no laws of morality or spirituality?
Yes, people should be free to express their beliefs in any way they wish (unless it violates basic human rights), but those who have contrary views should not be forbidden to objectively debate the areas of disagreement so that each may exercise one’s faith. My concern is that a fascist type philosophy is being unconsciously inculcated through the use of terms like “tolerance.” In reality, this concept is an attempt to silence those who hold strong convictions (especially about religious matters) and force them into a state of lethargy.
Freedom is not really freedom if it is used as a license to quench truth and by converse the truth will set you free.
If this is so, then the most important goal of all should be to find the truth. Of course to find truth includes exposing and avoiding falsehoods. If everything were true then nothing would be true since there would be nothing to distinguish truth from falsehood.
So what is true when it comes to the eternal and who would be competent enough to be authoritative on such matters? Would you trust such matters to someone who claims to have been told something through spirit beings or one of a kind translations of ancient writings or who simply says you will feel warm and tingly all over if you pray about the validity of their group’s message?
The eternal truth must be much more real and soul satisfying than anything else this material world has to offer. It should come from someone who is well known, personal, consistent, loving, of the highest authority and calling of anyone who has ever walked this Earth.
Indeed it should be no mystery that Jesus Christ is the ONLY one who fits that description and He is therefore the only on who is worthy of our faith and eternal trust for salvation.
Bret Whiteside, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, Jan. 9 to ed****@ga****.com
