Letters to the Editor 04-13-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Church History - Gay Marriage - Learning About Others - Misrepresented - Benefit - Personal Liberty - Slap In The Face - Smith For Treasurer - Deadline For Political Letters
Church History
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Kathy Kurosky's recent letter asserting that the Roman Catholic Church constitutes the one Church and one Christian faith, a quick review of the history of Christianity is probably in order.
The Christian Church began on Pentecost in 33 AD when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and those present with them in Jerusalem. The leadership of the church was apostolic and concilliar from its beginning. The apostles and the men they latter ordained as bishops decided worship, teaching and organizational matters in councils. For the first 754 years of the church's history, the bishops and faithful of the church overcame the heresies and schisms that developed by remaining true to the oral and written apostolic traditions they had inherited, and through local, regional and ecumenical councils.
Beginning in the ninth century, some of the bishops of Rome began to try to exert supremacy over the other bishops of the church. This harmful development came about primarily due to the imperial pretenses of the Franks who politicized the Roman bishops. They distorted the meaning of Matthew 16:13-20, substituting the person of Peter for the shared apostolic confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the rock upon which the church is built, and insisted Jesus gave authority to Peter he withheld from the other apostles.
In 1054, rejecting concilliar church government, the western part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church separated from the eastern part and became in time the Roman Catholic Church. The remaining bishops and faithful of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church in the East became known as orthodox Christians
After the schism of 1054, the Roman Catholic Church took on the trappings of an imperial monarchy while adding worship practices and doctrines unknown in the East. This imperial tyranny led to the bloody sacking of Constantinople in 1204 and the subsequent attempt to forcefully subjugate the orthodox Christians in the East. In the West, the torture and murder of thousands in the inquisitions and implementation of corrupt papal indulgences led to the Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517.
Tragically, the reformers were unable to unite themselves in communion with the orthodox Christians in the East, or with each other. Their rejection of almost all of the holy apostolic traditions except for the New Testament Scriptures doomed them to perpetual schisms and confusion.
There is one body and one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). Yet God's grace is not constrained by time or space. Many people may be members of the church who are not visibly so; invisible bonds may exist despite an outward separation. God knows the true circumstances of each life and the true content of each heart. The Holy Spirit goes where he chooses; dwelling in those contrite souls who sincerely love God and humbly seek his salvation. Where the Holy Spirit is - there is the church! The historical, visible and institutional church continues to exist as Jesus Christ promised it would, but only he knows who truly belongs to her.
Marc Trolinger
Warsaw
via e-mail
Gay Marriage
aEditor, Times-Union:I have been following the opinions in the newspaper on gay marriage since January. Some letters angered me and others I applauded. But now I am beginning to believe that most of the writers are bordering on insanity. It seems for the most part to be the same people writing back and forth saying the same things just in a different way and expecting different results. Now after several weeks of contemplation I am ready to write in my opinion. You do not have to agree with me, everyone has the right to their own opinion, but do not expect me to respond to any self-righteous responses. People are making our request for the right to marry a religious affront to God. This is not what it is about. All we are asking is for permission from the government level to obtain the right of marriage to be allowed between two of-age consenting adults. We are not looking to disgrace the current view of marriage. All we want is to be able to be provided the same benefits that current married couples are provided by our government. As far as the religious aspect is concerned; I feel according to God we do not have the right to judge one another. God himself will be our judge when our time here on Earth is done. It is my understanding that God gave his only son Jesus on all of our behalfs no matter what our sin. So if our marriages are sinful we will answer to him. But for those Bible quoters, I ask you to take a look at John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." This is what I understand about God. I do not profess to know the Bible inside and out nor do I claim that my opinion is the only right one. What I do believe is that God loves all of us and as long as we start the day and end the day on our knees praying to him for forgiveness of our sins in Jesus' name, our sins will be forgiven. It is not up to you or our government to decide how we should live. It is up to us and our belief in God and Jesus. If our lives we lead is a sin then let us face the reckoning with God ourselves as it is meant to be. God bless all of us in this time of disagreement.
Christy Lee Coonce
Warsaw
via e-mail
Learning About Others
Editor, Times-Union:As a non-catholic Christian, I feel compelled to respond to Kathy Kurosky's letter stating that the Catholic Church is the one and only true Christian church. She stated that there are "over 26,000 Protestant faiths" and I don't think this happened by accident. People disillusioned with the Catholic Church started the Protestant revolution hundreds of years ago. All of the Protestant religions have roots in the Catholic Church and believe in both testaments of the Bible. I think it is arrogant for Mrs. Kurosky to believe that the Catholic faith is the "right" Christian faith since it was started first. I am not sure what she means by the other Protestant faiths denying one or more of the truths taught by Christ since people of all Christian faiths read and learn from the same scriptures. If one person chooses to deny a truth in the Bible, then it is that person who needs to be accountable for their actions in the end. I know the Catholic Church has their fair share of members who choose to sin in spite of what they were taught. Just look at the headlines in recent years. I have worshiped at churches of several different faiths (including Catholic) and the only difference I can find between the churches is the amount of rituals each goes through to worship God. Who can truly say that doing certain rituals is right or wrong? I am assuming that Mrs. Kurosky is very devoted to the Catholic Church and has not really observed how the other Christians practice. I am asking you, Mrs. Kurosky, to go and observe other faiths in action before passing judgment that your faith is the one and only way to get to heaven. Please keep an open mind and remember that learning about the other faiths is a great way to affirm your own faith in God.
Brandi Grimm
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Misrepresented
Editor, Times-Union:In reply to Roman Catholic Clemmer. Clemmer falsely misrepresents history claiming that the Catholics gave us the Bible yet neglected to mention that the RCC burned at the stake William Tyndale for putting the Bible into English. The RCC after three papal bulls also dug up John Wycliffe's decomposing body after 40 years and burned his bones because he put the Bible into English. If Clemmer and others would read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs," "Martyrs Mirror" or any book on the Inquisition she would see the cold-blooded facts about the Roman Catholic Church. The RCC drowned women and children for not praying to Mary, hanged four men to death for eating goose on a fast day, skinned people alive for not believing in the hoc est corpus transubstantiation. The RCC has done more to abolish the "Universal Church" than any organization on the face of the Earth.
Clemmer states that the Bible was never intended to stand on its own merits. Wow! Judging God's intent as to his own Bible. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 is quite clear. "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Paul believed that scripture existed without a council approval hundreds of years later. The Bible says that scripture is given so that the man of God may be "perfect," throughly furnished meaning completely, nothing else is needed, no other merits.
The Bible is the only infallible, inerrant perfect thing on this earth. Clemmer thinks a sinful, arrogant, propped-up creation of God can judge the Bible? That is blasphemous! It was this arrogance that prompted William Tyndale to put the Bible into English. A Catholic priest said it: "We were better without God's Law than without the Pope's Law." Tyndale said, "I defy the Pope and all of his laws; if God spares my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou doest." The Roman Catholic Church burned him at the stake in 1536.
I've been in Rome, I've sat in the Mammertine Prison where Paul was. I've stood on the beautiful marble floors in the Sistine Chapel, marble that was stolen from the graves in the catacombs of my ancestors who were brutally murdered by the Catholic church. I am appalled at Ms. Clemmer's ignorance of the truth and of her propaganda of what she states as facts. William Tyndale has seen to it that Kyle K. Lowe an eighth-grader, knows more of the Bible than Ms. Clemmer. Kudos, Kyle Lowe! I am extremely impressed with your application of the Bible, your fortitude to write into a public forum and in your eloquence in writing.
Steven Hite
Warsaw
via e-mail
Benefit
Editor, Times-Union:A special thanks to Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lit'l Bear's Restauant, Don Holland and all those who contributed their efforts to make the spagetti dinner benefit for Tiffani England possible.
We were able to raise $300 for funeral expenses to help her family.
Warsaw Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Women's Auxiliary
Personal Liberty
Editor, Times-Union:Sorry folks, but you might as well give it up. Do you really think the government cares one way or the other about gay or abortion rights? If this government cared about personal liberty at all, we wouldn't be in this mess.
What's the biggest problem facing all government today? How about excessive human population?
If a woman has the right of abortion then why not prostitution? If what she does with her reproductive organs is none of the government's business than why doesn't that go both ways?
The whole thing is that abortion and homosexuality are population negative. The politicians that want to appear conservative will scream and holler and jump up and down to appease their constituents knowing full well that nothing will be done. Even if Congress and the president were to take action on these issues, the whole thing would be struck down by the courts.
The American people opted, either by choice or apathy, to adopt a more "progressive" government a long time ago. Now you and I and our children and grandchildren will be stuck with this sort of thing till Hell freezes over.
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Slap In The Face
Editor, Times-Union:Today I watched a television clip of Senator Ted Kennedy once again denouncing the Iraq War. His words were, "It's Bush's war; it's Bush's Vietnam." I became enraged for the soldiers of both wars. First of all, if Vietnam was such a disgrace, perhaps Ted should have advised his brother not to send our troops there. What Ted Kennedy couldn't possibly fathom is that our Vietnam veterans went to war for all of the right reasons and believe they sacrificed for our freedom. To constantly downgrade these wars is a slap in the face to all the men and women who have served. The Vietnam veterans have never received the respect that they deserve. My husband served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He didn't hide in Canada or protest as Clinton did. He served with pride and I know, although he never voices it, that these remarks kill his pride. He fought in the name of freedom as all soldiers have. Where was Ted Kennedy then? Oh yes, he was fighting the "battle of Chappaquiddick." Today on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," Oprah interviewed many veterans of the Iraq War. She commented that she was amazed that every one of them said that they would readily go back to Iraq. POW Shawna Johnson told her, "Freedom isn't free." So I say to Ted Kennedy, quit downgrading what our soldiers fight for. Our veterans of both wars are alive and hear you - they also vote. Americans remember why wars are fought - we also remember Chappaquiddick!
Jan M. Cormican
Leesburg
Smith For Treasurer
Editor, Times-Union:As a person who has known Becky Smith for 25-plus years, I would like to urge everyone to vote for her in the race for treasurer of Kosciusko County. I know her as an honest, professional and hard-working person who can always be counted on to give her best to anything she does. She is, in my opinion, the most qualified and deserving for this position. Please get out and vote in the primaries and regular election for Smith for treasurer.
Debbie Bricker
Leesburg
Deadline For Political Letters
The final day for publishing letters expressing an opinion on the May 4 primary election will be April 29.To be published on April 29, political letters must be received no later than 5 p.m. April 27.
Any political letters received after 5 p.m. April 27 will not be published.
After the election, the Times-Union will again accept letters containing opinions regarding local politics.
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- Church History - Gay Marriage - Learning About Others - Misrepresented - Benefit - Personal Liberty - Slap In The Face - Smith For Treasurer - Deadline For Political Letters
Church History
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Kathy Kurosky's recent letter asserting that the Roman Catholic Church constitutes the one Church and one Christian faith, a quick review of the history of Christianity is probably in order.
The Christian Church began on Pentecost in 33 AD when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and those present with them in Jerusalem. The leadership of the church was apostolic and concilliar from its beginning. The apostles and the men they latter ordained as bishops decided worship, teaching and organizational matters in councils. For the first 754 years of the church's history, the bishops and faithful of the church overcame the heresies and schisms that developed by remaining true to the oral and written apostolic traditions they had inherited, and through local, regional and ecumenical councils.
Beginning in the ninth century, some of the bishops of Rome began to try to exert supremacy over the other bishops of the church. This harmful development came about primarily due to the imperial pretenses of the Franks who politicized the Roman bishops. They distorted the meaning of Matthew 16:13-20, substituting the person of Peter for the shared apostolic confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the rock upon which the church is built, and insisted Jesus gave authority to Peter he withheld from the other apostles.
In 1054, rejecting concilliar church government, the western part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church separated from the eastern part and became in time the Roman Catholic Church. The remaining bishops and faithful of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church in the East became known as orthodox Christians
After the schism of 1054, the Roman Catholic Church took on the trappings of an imperial monarchy while adding worship practices and doctrines unknown in the East. This imperial tyranny led to the bloody sacking of Constantinople in 1204 and the subsequent attempt to forcefully subjugate the orthodox Christians in the East. In the West, the torture and murder of thousands in the inquisitions and implementation of corrupt papal indulgences led to the Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517.
Tragically, the reformers were unable to unite themselves in communion with the orthodox Christians in the East, or with each other. Their rejection of almost all of the holy apostolic traditions except for the New Testament Scriptures doomed them to perpetual schisms and confusion.
There is one body and one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). Yet God's grace is not constrained by time or space. Many people may be members of the church who are not visibly so; invisible bonds may exist despite an outward separation. God knows the true circumstances of each life and the true content of each heart. The Holy Spirit goes where he chooses; dwelling in those contrite souls who sincerely love God and humbly seek his salvation. Where the Holy Spirit is - there is the church! The historical, visible and institutional church continues to exist as Jesus Christ promised it would, but only he knows who truly belongs to her.
Marc Trolinger
Warsaw
via e-mail
Gay Marriage
aEditor, Times-Union:I have been following the opinions in the newspaper on gay marriage since January. Some letters angered me and others I applauded. But now I am beginning to believe that most of the writers are bordering on insanity. It seems for the most part to be the same people writing back and forth saying the same things just in a different way and expecting different results. Now after several weeks of contemplation I am ready to write in my opinion. You do not have to agree with me, everyone has the right to their own opinion, but do not expect me to respond to any self-righteous responses. People are making our request for the right to marry a religious affront to God. This is not what it is about. All we are asking is for permission from the government level to obtain the right of marriage to be allowed between two of-age consenting adults. We are not looking to disgrace the current view of marriage. All we want is to be able to be provided the same benefits that current married couples are provided by our government. As far as the religious aspect is concerned; I feel according to God we do not have the right to judge one another. God himself will be our judge when our time here on Earth is done. It is my understanding that God gave his only son Jesus on all of our behalfs no matter what our sin. So if our marriages are sinful we will answer to him. But for those Bible quoters, I ask you to take a look at John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." This is what I understand about God. I do not profess to know the Bible inside and out nor do I claim that my opinion is the only right one. What I do believe is that God loves all of us and as long as we start the day and end the day on our knees praying to him for forgiveness of our sins in Jesus' name, our sins will be forgiven. It is not up to you or our government to decide how we should live. It is up to us and our belief in God and Jesus. If our lives we lead is a sin then let us face the reckoning with God ourselves as it is meant to be. God bless all of us in this time of disagreement.
Christy Lee Coonce
Warsaw
via e-mail
Learning About Others
Editor, Times-Union:As a non-catholic Christian, I feel compelled to respond to Kathy Kurosky's letter stating that the Catholic Church is the one and only true Christian church. She stated that there are "over 26,000 Protestant faiths" and I don't think this happened by accident. People disillusioned with the Catholic Church started the Protestant revolution hundreds of years ago. All of the Protestant religions have roots in the Catholic Church and believe in both testaments of the Bible. I think it is arrogant for Mrs. Kurosky to believe that the Catholic faith is the "right" Christian faith since it was started first. I am not sure what she means by the other Protestant faiths denying one or more of the truths taught by Christ since people of all Christian faiths read and learn from the same scriptures. If one person chooses to deny a truth in the Bible, then it is that person who needs to be accountable for their actions in the end. I know the Catholic Church has their fair share of members who choose to sin in spite of what they were taught. Just look at the headlines in recent years. I have worshiped at churches of several different faiths (including Catholic) and the only difference I can find between the churches is the amount of rituals each goes through to worship God. Who can truly say that doing certain rituals is right or wrong? I am assuming that Mrs. Kurosky is very devoted to the Catholic Church and has not really observed how the other Christians practice. I am asking you, Mrs. Kurosky, to go and observe other faiths in action before passing judgment that your faith is the one and only way to get to heaven. Please keep an open mind and remember that learning about the other faiths is a great way to affirm your own faith in God.
Brandi Grimm
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Misrepresented
Editor, Times-Union:In reply to Roman Catholic Clemmer. Clemmer falsely misrepresents history claiming that the Catholics gave us the Bible yet neglected to mention that the RCC burned at the stake William Tyndale for putting the Bible into English. The RCC after three papal bulls also dug up John Wycliffe's decomposing body after 40 years and burned his bones because he put the Bible into English. If Clemmer and others would read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs," "Martyrs Mirror" or any book on the Inquisition she would see the cold-blooded facts about the Roman Catholic Church. The RCC drowned women and children for not praying to Mary, hanged four men to death for eating goose on a fast day, skinned people alive for not believing in the hoc est corpus transubstantiation. The RCC has done more to abolish the "Universal Church" than any organization on the face of the Earth.
Clemmer states that the Bible was never intended to stand on its own merits. Wow! Judging God's intent as to his own Bible. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 is quite clear. "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Paul believed that scripture existed without a council approval hundreds of years later. The Bible says that scripture is given so that the man of God may be "perfect," throughly furnished meaning completely, nothing else is needed, no other merits.
The Bible is the only infallible, inerrant perfect thing on this earth. Clemmer thinks a sinful, arrogant, propped-up creation of God can judge the Bible? That is blasphemous! It was this arrogance that prompted William Tyndale to put the Bible into English. A Catholic priest said it: "We were better without God's Law than without the Pope's Law." Tyndale said, "I defy the Pope and all of his laws; if God spares my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou doest." The Roman Catholic Church burned him at the stake in 1536.
I've been in Rome, I've sat in the Mammertine Prison where Paul was. I've stood on the beautiful marble floors in the Sistine Chapel, marble that was stolen from the graves in the catacombs of my ancestors who were brutally murdered by the Catholic church. I am appalled at Ms. Clemmer's ignorance of the truth and of her propaganda of what she states as facts. William Tyndale has seen to it that Kyle K. Lowe an eighth-grader, knows more of the Bible than Ms. Clemmer. Kudos, Kyle Lowe! I am extremely impressed with your application of the Bible, your fortitude to write into a public forum and in your eloquence in writing.
Steven Hite
Warsaw
via e-mail
Benefit
Editor, Times-Union:A special thanks to Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lit'l Bear's Restauant, Don Holland and all those who contributed their efforts to make the spagetti dinner benefit for Tiffani England possible.
We were able to raise $300 for funeral expenses to help her family.
Warsaw Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Women's Auxiliary
Personal Liberty
Editor, Times-Union:Sorry folks, but you might as well give it up. Do you really think the government cares one way or the other about gay or abortion rights? If this government cared about personal liberty at all, we wouldn't be in this mess.
What's the biggest problem facing all government today? How about excessive human population?
If a woman has the right of abortion then why not prostitution? If what she does with her reproductive organs is none of the government's business than why doesn't that go both ways?
The whole thing is that abortion and homosexuality are population negative. The politicians that want to appear conservative will scream and holler and jump up and down to appease their constituents knowing full well that nothing will be done. Even if Congress and the president were to take action on these issues, the whole thing would be struck down by the courts.
The American people opted, either by choice or apathy, to adopt a more "progressive" government a long time ago. Now you and I and our children and grandchildren will be stuck with this sort of thing till Hell freezes over.
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Slap In The Face
Editor, Times-Union:Today I watched a television clip of Senator Ted Kennedy once again denouncing the Iraq War. His words were, "It's Bush's war; it's Bush's Vietnam." I became enraged for the soldiers of both wars. First of all, if Vietnam was such a disgrace, perhaps Ted should have advised his brother not to send our troops there. What Ted Kennedy couldn't possibly fathom is that our Vietnam veterans went to war for all of the right reasons and believe they sacrificed for our freedom. To constantly downgrade these wars is a slap in the face to all the men and women who have served. The Vietnam veterans have never received the respect that they deserve. My husband served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He didn't hide in Canada or protest as Clinton did. He served with pride and I know, although he never voices it, that these remarks kill his pride. He fought in the name of freedom as all soldiers have. Where was Ted Kennedy then? Oh yes, he was fighting the "battle of Chappaquiddick." Today on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," Oprah interviewed many veterans of the Iraq War. She commented that she was amazed that every one of them said that they would readily go back to Iraq. POW Shawna Johnson told her, "Freedom isn't free." So I say to Ted Kennedy, quit downgrading what our soldiers fight for. Our veterans of both wars are alive and hear you - they also vote. Americans remember why wars are fought - we also remember Chappaquiddick!
Jan M. Cormican
Leesburg
Smith For Treasurer
Editor, Times-Union:As a person who has known Becky Smith for 25-plus years, I would like to urge everyone to vote for her in the race for treasurer of Kosciusko County. I know her as an honest, professional and hard-working person who can always be counted on to give her best to anything she does. She is, in my opinion, the most qualified and deserving for this position. Please get out and vote in the primaries and regular election for Smith for treasurer.
Debbie Bricker
Leesburg
Deadline For Political Letters
The final day for publishing letters expressing an opinion on the May 4 primary election will be April 29.To be published on April 29, political letters must be received no later than 5 p.m. April 27.
Any political letters received after 5 p.m. April 27 will not be published.
After the election, the Times-Union will again accept letters containing opinions regarding local politics.
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