Letters from our readers

To the Editor:

In the letter at Christmastime by Hollinshead on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, there is the cautionary note that if we focus our attention on the finger pointing to the moon, we could miss the moon. The message being that we need to love everyone regardless of their age, sex, race, or religion- that they are all pointing to the moon, or, in other words, we are all pointing to the one god whether we are Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, or whatever- it is all about lovethe “Golden Rule.”

Allow me to point my finger at the truth at the truth-the one and only true God, who manifested himself in the body of Jesus. And, Jesus said it best in the Bible(John 14:6). He is the only way-no one comes into the kingdom of God but by him-Jesus.

While in the military (Thailand and Vietnam) I witnessed many non- Christian faiths. I was raised a student of science, and I spent 37 years in Microwave Radio Technology. I, myself, never opened a Bible until after 38 years of age. Since becoming a Christian Pastor in 1998, I’ve been pastoring in the jail system full time at no cost to the Sheriff or taxpayer for about 16 years now. I visit all inmates, both men and women. I’m also on the street with the homeless, and operate a prison mail ministry which also included Juvenile Hall. On the streets, and in jail I witness all faiths, as well as many who don’t believe in anything.

We must recognize that in this world people have developed many faith traditions, and that all but one are based on philosophy- how we feel. Christianity however, is based upon evidence. Evidence which can hold up in court. Phsyical Evidence-the empty tomb(Matthew 28.) The Roman army spent years trying to come up with a body-none was ever found. Circumstantial Evidence- Jesus followers were afraid of dying, and hiding after Jesus’ death- but they were willing to die themselves(and did) after Jesus appeared to them- risen and alive-after his death on the cross(Luke 24.) Eyewitness Evidence-Jesus appeared to many people for weeks after his death and resurrection, including 500 at one appearance (1 Corinthians15.)

No other faith has evidence to show the truth of their faithonly philosophies and feelings-nice people with nice feelings, but no evidence to support their beliefs. Christians recognize that everyone needs the truth and needs to accept the truth(John 14:6) or they will perish-real love requires we share the truth.

God loves everyone-even those in jail-yes, even us sinners. And God loves gay and straight alike. What God is against is our actions- our sins. The action of abortion. The action of marriage outside that of a man and a woman. The action of stealing or adultery. The action of drunkeness and drug abuse. It is certain actions that God hates, not the person.

The Golden Rule is about loving one another. And, to truly love someone means we want them not to perish under false beliefs. We don’t practice the Golden Rule by being nice to them as they travel down the life path towards Hell.

It is true that Christians have failed the test of the Golden Rule as have many others as mentioned in the letter such as Sunni and Shia Muslims. This is the failure of humanity-not God. If you have read my book “Eden to Evil” you know that the plan of God is to reconcile with all those fallen from creation who are now born into this age for a few years to have the opportunity to reconcile with God and be savedand that includes all of us- God loves everyone.

Unfortunately, the true Christian message of the love of God and reconciliation has been corrupted by humans through false faiths and even some false so- called Christian faiths(some Christians allow for abortion, or gay marriage-actions that God rejects.) There are even some so- called Christian faiths who do not recognize Jesus as God but see Jesus as a creation of God and brother of Satan.

Trying to attach socialism or capitalism or any other ism to the Golden Rule is a further corruption of the central truth of Christianity- that Jesus is the only way to the kingdom of God and that all other paths lead to hell(John 14:6.) True Christians want to see everyone welcomed into the kingdom of God and true Christians are called to proclaim the truth-that there is only one way- and actions opposed to God must be opposed.