I recently wrote to Sen. John McCain, outlining the following logical, practical reasons we should negotiate a truce during Ramadan and Christmas holy days:
Most important, because of the slowing of the economy, we cannot afford to sustain a long-fought, expensive war against an elusive enemy. What a wonderful opportunity is being placed in our laps, to negotiate a truce, a time to talk, during the two holy celebrations. The God of all of us would be pleased.
YVONNE CHURCHILL HASNEY
Waveland
Doomed to watch the numbering of our days
These words by David Ravenhill speak volumes to me:
"In God we trust" -
O how I wish those words
Were really true.
We trust far more in
Who we are -
The Red, The White, The Blue.
In times of national crisis
We turn to God and say,
"We need You, God, at least for now"
Then later cease to pray.
Our churches fill with people
During these times of need.
We want to hear consoling words
For hearts that break and bleed.
But we have yet to really bow
And humbly seek His face,
Confessing pride and selfishness
Before His throne of grace.
And so until we really change
And leave our wicked ways,
We're doomed to watch in horror
The numbering of our days.
Church, let's heed the words of II Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
GENENDAL FRATANTUONO
Gulfport
Wake-up call has also
come to world's Muslims
Sept. 11 will be remembered not only as a wake-up call for America and the political and economic policymakers of the world, but also as the presentation of taps for those Muslims who mistakenly embrace the Sunna-Hadith as a supplement to the Holy Quran.
The Sunna-Hadith is the collection of sayings, rumors, gossip, innuendo and traditions compiled by Arab commentators and culturalists after the death of the prophet Muhammad, and are today accepted by most Muslims as theological and social guidelines. However, closer examination of the Sunna-Hadith and its offspring, the Sharia (civil law based on interpretation of religious law), will expose the sexism, tribalism, situational ethics and cultural/religious imperialism which is being used to brainwash and enslave millions of Muslims.
The Holy Quran unequivocally instructs Muslims to respect and defend freedom when it proclaims: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from falsehood. Whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks, and God hears and knows all things." However, governments throughout the world disobey the Holy Quran by suppressing freedom of religion and imposing religious law (Sharia) as their civil law, thus compelling their citizens to follow a particular religious dogma.
As humanity stands at this crossroad in history, I invite all citizens to observe an apparent pattern within the monotheistic faiths. It appears that just as the Talmud and Mishna was attached to the Holy Torah, and just as the New Testament Letters and Nicene Creed was attached to the Holy Gospel, so has the Sunna-Hadith and Sharia dimmed the brilliant light of love, mercy, freedom, compassion, truth, reason and rebirth offered in the Holy Quran.
JOHN ELLIS ISHMAEL BRIGGS BE
Biloxi
Some sacred sites are endangered by silence
In his letter to the editor of Oct. 30, Balwant Singh of Pascagoula, speaking for the World Sikh Council of the American Region, "humbly urges" the United States and its allies to "protect sacred sites in bombing" of Afghanistan. Many would agree.
Many may also suggest that those of the Sikh, Muslim and other Middle-Eastern religions "humbly urge" their leadership to strongly condemn fundamentalist terrorism conducted in the name of their religions; a terrorism, the primary result of which causes "sacred sites" to be placed in danger.
I'm confident that the United States and its allies will make every effort to knock out enemy tanks and weapons strategically positioned adjacent to "sacred sites" while also taking every effort to protect those sites. In return, and in deference to "sacred sites," the United States and its allies "humbly urge" others to display a modicum of condemnation of those who threaten civilization.
ARMOND 'SI' SIMMONS
Pell City, Ala.
'Out There' column is
an excellent addition
You are to be congratulated for adding Jill Easton's column, "Out There," to Marquee.
Finally, we have a professionally written column that shows research and depth, while not relying heavily on vertical pronouns.
Again, congratulations to you and your staff for adding this wonderful column.
JIM MARTIN
Biloxi
Back to Top
© 2001 Sun Herald. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the
contents of this service without the express written consent of the Sun Herald is expressly prohibited.
