News-Record.com

Mr Cush: As one that reads several different papers, I disagree a little - contrasted with the moderately left-leaning News Journal, the News & Record is moderately right-leaning, and the Asheboro Courior which is decidedly right-leaning.

My overall preference for non-bias is the Christina Science Monitor, but a little swing both ways adds diversion.

I do agree, faith is a necessary element of humanity, including as an element of core beliefs in the political arena. Just be careful to not forced "YOUR" faith to become "MINE" - I'll do the same; after all YOURs in not MINE, and vice-versa. If we all did this, with a little humility and respect, it'll be a better world.

"I do agree, faith is a necessary element of humanity,"

No. Nope. Don't have any and don't want any.

Yeah, what you said, Tony!

The original letter seems to say that people of faith are left out of debates because of their faith. I don't think the original article actually said this, nor are most people claiming this.

Here't the thing: when you have an issue, a decision, a policy to decide, you come to the table with evidence and facts: "If we do this, this will result, it will lead to this disaster, this good thing, will be unfair to this group". For stem cells, you cite the benefits, but you also cite the disadvantages. Don't bring up what your favorite Big Book says about it. Don't say it's wrong because the Democrats think it's right.

Now with stem cell research, you have to dig deeper. In order to establish a moral argument against it that would apply to everyone, you have to establish a universal moral principle. That's hard to do, what with everyone having different morals. But if you can't do it, what kind of a moral principle is it?

Ask yourself why this moral principle is important to you. If you work backwards through everything you know and can only come up with "because the Bible said so.", can you see how that is not enough? If you still just feel it isnt' right, come up with some common ground that you can use to communicate this to others.

I'm listening, and I think others would listen too. I'll tell you that I don't feel comfortable with any of this: stem cell research, cloning, even a little shaky on in vitro fertilization. But I have a feeling this is one of those issues you have to feel a little bad about, but accept nonetheless. There just isn't evidence and support for the other side.

Your faith and your beliefs apply to YOU, not to me or anyone else. Tolerance means I accept that you have your beliefs and I tolerate you. Not that I force my beliefs down your throat. If you believe the world is flat or that God is Santa Claus, I might point out your error, but I will not oppress you for believing that. If you believe abortion is wrong or that homosexuality is wrong, then you are free not to have an abortion or have sex with someone of the same sex. That is tolerance. No more than I would force you to have an abortion or have sex with someone of your own sex, you have no right to force me not to have an abortion or have sex with someone of a different sex. Read the gospels (I know you think you have, but I urge you to read them again). Jesus was all about personal decisions. You decide whether to give your money to the poor and follow him. You decide whether you will make good decisions or bad. Jesus didn't get in tight with Pontius Pilate and encourage him to create laws forcing people to give their money to the poor and follow him. That is what so-called "Christians" do when they use their mistaken beliefs about Christ to force legislation that restricts other people's freedom. The Christian thing to do is to do what you believe is right. Give to the poor. Heal the sick, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, house the homeless. No one will prevent you from doing these essential Christian thing. But when you come out of your snake handling, tongue-speaking, rolling in the aisles service and use your money and influence to force me to handle snakes, talk in tongues, and roll in the aisle, that is stepping outside of the Christian domain. When you do that, you are not being tolerant. You are being a fascist. You don't want to have babies without a husband? No one will force you. But if you DO want to have babies without a husband, you deserve every bit of toleration you can get--Christian and otherwise.

Read the Gospels. Read them carefully. You will discover that your urge to compel your fellow citizens to follow your beliefs through force of law is unChristian. It is impossible to be a Christian and a conservative. You must rethink your faith.

Gabby yours is a voice of reason in a time of unreason.

Gabby,

When you say conservative, do you mean Republican? It is not impossible to be a christian and a conservative. I am. Along that line of thinking, I think our religious beliefs might influence our political leanings, but I believe my religious beliefs are more personal (and important to me) than being a Republican, Democrat or other party follower.

I have read the gospels numerous times. Each time I get something new from it. I think Jesus made it pretty clear that he didn't want to get involved in the political activities of his time. He implied that God's law was above any laws that man made.

One thing that I never got from the Gospels or any other part of the Bible is that "The Christian thing to do is to do what you believe is right" If someone curses me, the bible tells me to bless and pray for that person. Honestly, that is the last thing that feels natural or right to me as a person.

I do, however, believe in respecting other people's beliefs. I believe most people have faith in something. Whether it is Jehovah, Allah, themselves, that there is no God, or other ideas. The fact is: there must be laws in order for their to be order. And those laws must be based on something. If not beliefs, then what?

I don't believe in cloning or embryonic stem-cell research. That actually has less to do with my religious beliefs than my fears of the outcome of humans tampering with things they don't fully understand. I fear the ramnifications for future generations of what we are doing now. What new strain or illness may be caused? Are we going to introduce a genetic weakness that will threaten civilization? Will those who aren't able to afford genetic enhancements become an undesirable part of society?

Sometimes people here seem to imply that Christians are stupid or ignorant or judgemental. Actually, they are all these things. And so are non-Christians. I'd like to see all of us use our minds to the fullest extend possible.