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Tuesday, 14 November 2006 14:37 |
Columnist taken to task
for criticism of Christians
In response to "We need more Biblical reminders" by Marc Mullinax (August 16, 2006):
Talk about lifting verses from the Bible and taking them out of context! I have read the verses that you have used in your article ÇƒÓ not just lifted out of the Bible, but in the entirety of the chapter. I have never come across Godës name with a dash that dismantles His holy name. That, to myself as a Christian ÇƒÓ thatës right, I said Christian ÇƒÓ is blasphemy, complete and utter disrespect for the true and living God.
You contradict yourself from one article to the other. On one hand you state our holy text; and on the other hand you blatantly disrespect Godës holy word. You truly are confused.
You
state that our culture foists the Bible upon everyone. What is foisted
upon our culture each and every day ÇƒÓ and that truly has myself baffled
ÇƒÓ is that you are over the philosophy and religion department at Mars
Hill College. Another fact that is foisted upon our culture is secular
humanism and the political correctness that goes with it ÇƒÓ trying to
take Jesus Christ and prayer out of our schools and the government.
What political correctness is trying to do is take God out of our
country completely, starting with removing the Ten Commandments from
public view and then trying to remove God from our Constitution. Our
Constitution was written upon the knowledge of knowing there is a true
and living God.
This completely
steps right into your next article, "Life above the grave must include
awareness of death" (Sept. 13 issue of the Daily Planet). As you state:
"Itës either a bullying tyrant, ruling your life with blinding
omnipotence, or else you overthrow it, and its power vanishes in a puff
of smoke. There is no middle ground."
Let us give the
definition to this all-knowing word. "Omnipotence: Almighty or
unlimited power: an attribute of God" ÇƒÓ Websterës Dictionary.
There is no
middle ground. Godës power cannot vanish in a puff of smoke. It is
utterly impossible to overthrow an all-knowing and living God. You
state that "the world signed a pact with death." By disobedience of
Adam came death, but through the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary came
everlasting life.
If you could
ever sit down and read the Bible from beginning to end, without
prejudgment in your mind (you would realize) God can open the gates of
glory by acceptance through Jesus Christ. Life and death are a fact;
Romans chapter 6 verse 23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ or Lord." (KJV)
Life and death
is always standing at our door. God gives us the choice to accept Jesus
as our savior. I pray that you take that time to reconsider your
choice. Your articles are always disrespectful towards the Christian
faith. Calling all Christians in Asheville ÇƒÓ and especially; Christians
at Mars Hill College ÇƒÓ stand up and let your voices be heard.
Tammie Dobyne, Asheville
ï
EDITORëS NOTE: The following is Daily Planet spirituality columnist Marc Mullinaxës response:
Dear Tammie Dobyne:
Is this not the second time you have written?
If so, I am so
pleased you are a faithful reader. Since our differences are probably
wider than the space the Asheville Daily Planet will allow us for a
frank exchange of views, I urge you to contact me and set up a time and
place where we can meet publicly. Dutch pay.
Please do me one
favor; letës make it closer to Christmas because I am now recovering
from prostate surgery. To other readers: The same offer to Tammie is
yours as well.
Best wishes.
ÇƒÓ Marc Mullinax
ï
EDITORëS NOTE:
The aforementioned letter to the editor was sent to the Daily Planet in
response to letters from Walter Plaue and Bill Fishburne criticizing
the Asheville City Councilës planned Veteransë Day program and decision
to raise the rent on the Army Reserve Center. Both letters appeared in
last Wednesdayës edition of the Daily Planet.
Council member defends
cityës actions on veterans
I am writing this to you in the form of a broadcast e-mail because you all did initially; I suspect to "shine a light."
Bill, I also write because we have been friends for many years or, at least, I felt we had.
Walter, I donët
normally respond to your musings because many times they are venomous.
This time I want to respond to a couple of points you all are making.
First, the rent
for continuation of a lease to the Army Reserve. For 50 years, there
was a $1/year lease for nine acres beside Patton Avenue that expired in
2000 and was agreeably continued for six years at $60,000/year.
Again, agreeably
with the U.S. government, we entered into a continuation for three
years at a fair market rate of $112,000. There was conversation
regarding not entering into a new lease, at all, because of the value
of the property. Our staff and the U.S. government felt a fairness
with the price. We acted on staffës advice. I suspect the Army was
pleased to not have to relocate and the price fell into a parameter
that was acceptable ÇƒÓ one that was fair to Asheville citizens.
The allegations
of City Councilës action resulting in depriving soldiers of fuel,
ammunition and body armor is ridiculous. I, personally, am not opposed
to reconsidering our action; to amend the rent to a lower-than-market
rate, as a statement of good will. Regrettably, though, I am afraid
the damage is already done and been well promoted by you folks.
That being
said, the part that is really hurtful is (the claim that) the Veterans
Day program (is a) mockery. The event being put on by the city is
largely at the request of Dr. Carl Mumpower, our only veteran; I am
thankful for the request.
When I first
became aware of the observance, I realized we will be in conflict with
the annual VA observance. I hope it may be scheduled forward or back.
It is kind of a damned-if-you-do or damned-if-you-donët with you all.
I enjoy attending the VA observance and will in either case.
Bill, you are
right, I never served in the military, but you are wrong in my hollow
words of admiration and praise for those who did and do. I greatly
appreciate the sacrifice and meaning of all those people who gave so
much.
I go to Veterans
Day and Memorial Day functions because of my deceased father, because
of my father-in-law who just visited the Memorial in Washington with
Honor Air, even though he can barely walk, and Bill, I go for you.
Thanks for what you all did. And Walt, I have spent time visiting the
hospital.
That may be a
bit of why I give of myself to community service; I donët know that for
sure but I do know that we do not deserve the beating you folks are
giving.
JAN DAVIS
Member, Asheville City Council
Asheville
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