Venomous as Vipers and Dumb as Dodos

The following letter was in the Letters to the editor of my local paper:

Dear editor:

A friend recently sent me a photo from the Internet that shows Sen. Obama not saluting during the National Anthem. It is my understanding that he is a devout Muslim and that he refused to be sworn in on the Holy Bible – a 200-year old tradition – when he became a senator for his state. Instead, he took his oath of office on the Koran, the Islamic bible.

Now he is a frontrunner for the highest office in the land and I’m wondering, should he win the presidency, will he be allowed to be sworn in on that document as well? If he is, then our country will have reached an all-time low. He will not be a president who will uphold our Constitution, our history, nor our way of life. He will defend his own Islamic principles and lead the United States into accepting them as well, or he will not be a true Muslim.

If that awful scenario comes true, then all of our soldiers would have died for nothing. The brave people of Sept. 11 would become so much fodder under the heels of Obama. With all the prophecies of the Christian Bible coming true, it may very well be that Sen. Obama could be the "Beast" of the Book of Revelation!

Far fetched, you say? Look at the way our country is heading. Congress and other political heads are running scared by declaring God is not important in the life of this great country. They don’t want to offend the Muslims moving here! President Ronald Reagan said it best: "If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

The Rev. Donald Cunningham Hot Springs

Below is the letter I have written to the editor in response:

The Rev. Donald Cunningham should check his facts before writing to the editor. A quick check of published records would have revealed that a) Sen. Obama is a Christian b) the "photo from the Internet" was actually taken during the national anthem (saluting is not the norm during the national anthem) and c) Obama did not take the oath of office on the Koran.

Jesus instructed his followers to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Mt. 10:16) Too often we tend rather to be "venomous as vipers and dumb as dodos." Rev. Cunningham's letter is an example of this tendency. Unscrupulous political power mongers have taken advantage of our gullibility to propagate untruths, sow fear and elicit support for their chosen candidates. As "sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mt. 10:16), we must not allow ourselves to be misled and manipulated.

A suggestion to Rev. Cunningham: When you attach the title Rev. to your name you proclaim yourself to be an "ambassador for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20). You are called to be His representative. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect . . ." (1 Pet 3:15). Be a testimony of hope. Leave the fear mongering to representatives of someone other than Christ. During this election season there will be an abundance of slander and fear tactics provided. However, remember, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 Jn 4:18) Do not succumb to those sowing fear. Rather, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Mt 5:16)

A suggestion to the editorial staff of the Sentinel-Record: Continue your excellent job of providing a platform for the expression of diverse opinions. However, you should develop a policy for providing a disclaimer to accompany letters to the editor and opinion pieces when they present factual errors or falsehoods. This should not be an attack on the views presented but a warning that certain factual inaccuracies are included in the presentation of the writer's position. You have better resources to check facts than the average reader. A responsible press has the obligation to enable readers to make judgments based upon accurate facts and not half-truths and distortions.

As we persevere through the election mania, let us all strive to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

I grieve for truth in this world when the Shepherds of the Flocks join forces, wittingly or unwittingly, with the wolves.