Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 6, 2015
15OPINION Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 6, 2015
15OPINION
OUT TO PASTOR LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers of the City of Sierra Madre:
A WAIST IS A TERRIBLE I am writing as a Sierra Madre resident who is concerned with theproposed budget cuts to reduce the library staff and services andTHING TO MIND close the Community Services Department. I am a Sierra Madrenative, current resident and parent, who is raising two school-ageIs it just me or has the whole world going crazy When it comes to diets, my wife is very children. My husband and I grew up in Sierra Madre and decided toabout diets and exercise? committed to a balanced diet. The problem buy our home and raise our family here so that they could enjoy the
This came to me sometime this week when is, her concept of a balanced diet and mine are great community spirit that we enjoyed.
I was having trouble sleeping one night. I was completely different.
tossing, turning and getting grunts from the For my wife, a balanced diet means a little bit As I read about proposed cuts to the Library and the proposedGracious Mistress of the Parsonage.of this and a little bit of that and it had better closure of the Community Services Department, I am very
I decided to get up and watch a little television be green and leafy. If there ever was a vegetable concerned that what makes Sierra Madre special will disappear.
to make me sleepy. Nothing makes me sleepy queen in the world, she comes close. She has more Both the library and the Community Services Department bring
the community together. My boys spend lots of time at the library
like watching television. Of course, when my vegetables on the table than I could ever identify.
finding reading and research material. They also enjoy the various
wife and I are watching TV together we both are Of course, I am assuming they are vegetables
programs sponsored by the library.
complaining about how many commercials there because she calls them vegetables. How am I to
are. know they are actually vegetables? The only thing
The Community Services Department helps to execute the events
I decided to watch a little bit of television and I guard against is that green treelike vegetable she
and traditions that we have enjoyed for many years. Due to their
hopefully in a half hour or so I would get sleepy calls “broccoli.” She has tried sneaking it in and so
efforts, our downtown area experiences increased foot traffic from
enough so I could go back to bed. During my far, at least to my knowledge, I have avoided any
residents and those who reside outside our city limits. This results
watching, I came across so many “infomercials” encounter with anything resembling broccoli.
in more people spending money in our downtown, which results in
that I thought I was dreaming or at least having a My idea of a balanced diet is simple, all I can
increased revenues for our small town. It is good for Sierra Madre
nightmare.balance on my spoon and get into my mouth and its businesses.
The thing I noticed about these “infomercials” without dropping it. That, to me, is a balanced
is the “info” has no commercial value for me. All diet. I must say I am quite good with my balanced As a member of the Sierra Madre Civic Club, I know that thethey want to talk about is diet, diet, diet. Isn’t diet. Believe me, it is very hard to balance Community Services Department is an integral part of puttingthere something more interesting to talk about?vegetables on my spoon and I refuse to practice!our community events together. Our members volunteer at events
I was watching one “infomercial” and the Getting back to these infomercials trying to throughout the year. Even though Civic Club has taken overbrazen claim was simply this; if I go on their convince me I need to exercise and get on a diet. I Halloween Window Painting and the 4th of July games in thediet, they guaranteed me that I will look great in would like to inform them I am on what I call the park, we work closely and in concert with the Community Servicesa bikini. Really? Why do I want to look great in twelve-step program. I have put a lot of thought Department. We cannot pull off these events without their help. Fora bikini? Noticing some of their bikinis, I wear and planning in this program. There are six steps example, the Mount Wilson Trail Race Committee and and manymore in the shower and they were wearing on the to the refrigerator and then six steps back to my community organizations work together to execute the event, If the
Community Services Department closes, what will happen to the
beach. recliner. This twelve-step program has worked
traditions that we have enjoyed all these years? They will disappear.
No sale for me. marvelously for me.
We will have to say good bye to Huck Finn, Mount Wilson Trail Race,
Instead of getting drowsy I was getting a little As I was watching these infomercials I was
4th of July festivities, Summer Fun in the Park, Concerts in the Park,
frustrated and angry.not getting sleepy, but I was getting hungry. So,
Movies in the Park and Halloween happenings. Also, our seniors in
The thing that really got me was simply this; I put my twelve-step program in place and as I
town will lose the services that they have enjoyed and need. The park
their argument was that being “post-thin” (to was watching the rest of those infomercials, I was
and facility rentals, which generate income will also be impacted.
use my terminology) is not normal. According to eating some nice creamy ice cream along with
My family urges you to rethink this “easy way out” to balance our
them, normal is being so skinny people can count some crunchy candy and to ease my conscience, a
budget. The Community Services Department is already working
how many bones you have.diet soda.
with a skeleton crew, but is still able to execute their duties. The “fat”
Have these people been out in public recently? What could be healthier than eating like that has been trimmed from this department that only makes up 2% ofIf skinny is normal, there are not too many while watching some infomercials on dieting and Sierra Madre’s budget.
around. If they are looking for normal, they need exercise? I think the only exercise I really need is
to see that skinny is not normal.watching those exercising on TV. And the thing I A friend who moved to Sierra Madre a few years ago told me
Personally, I get a little weary of people judging notice about these people exercising on TV, they what happened in her former hometown. When she moved there,
me from their cookie-cutter perspective. Maybe, do not really need to exercise. Everyone seemed they held fun parades and events in town. Then the city decidedjust maybe, skinny is not normal! Maybe, just to be rather skinny.to do away with them. To her, her former hometown has lost itsmaybe, I, who lean towards the full figure side of But as for me, I want to fit in with the normal community spirit and what made it special. Now she looks at it as athe scale, may be normal. Wouldn’t that be a kick people of this world. After all, I would like to bunch of homes and nothing else. I would hate to have this happenin their pants!show to the world by my “plumpness” that my here.
Some infomercials tried to sell me some kind of wife is the greatest cook in the world.
I urge you to work on other ways to balance the budget. Tough
exercise equipment. The only shrinking involved One of my favorite Bible verses is in the Old
decisions will need to be made. Please do not touch the library and
in those infomercials would be with my bank Testament. “And thepriest shall burn them
Community Services Department. They are at the heart of what
account. They earnestly believe in transferring upon thealtar: it isthefood of theoffering made
makes Sierra Madre special.
my wealth into their wealth. I am not in Great by fire for a sweet savour: all thefatistheLord’s”
Britainso I do not want to lose any British (Leviticus 3:16).
Thanks on behalf of myself, my husband and our boys.
pounds. Of course, if I do buy one of their exercise If the Lord can handle my size, I need not listen
equipment, I will not have enough money to buy to anybody else.
Maria Decker - Sierra Madre
food for the next three months. That would be a
sure way to lose weight.
LEFT TURN/RIGHT TURN
SUSAN Stamper Brown
HOWARD Hays As I See It
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MORAL
“I want to hear from the Institute amid allegations of sexual
DECLINE?
their story. Andharassment, molestation and failure to reportI think America child abuse.
A recent Gallup poll, “Moral Acceptability: Changes Over
wants to hear When the Duggars finally did report to law
Time,” shows Americans made a startling move to the left
their story now.” enforcement, it was in a meeting attended by
over the past 15 years. A blanket blaming of the church
-Megyn Kellya church elder and Arkansas State Police Cpl.
of Fox News, on Joseph Hutchens, who, after a “stern talk”,
is the easy answer, but today, where black and white has
an upcomingadvised there was nothing else to do since
faded into varying shades of gray, we are better served go-
interview with Josh had already been through “treatment”.
ing back to where it began because we didn’t get where weJim Bob and Hutchens is now serving a 59-year sentence in
are today overnight.
Michelle Duggar. Arkansas on child pornography charges.
Two years ago, Josh Duggars become a
America’s moral decline began with Presidents Woodrow
The first thing Ilobbyist for the Family Research Council,
Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt [FDR]. Their arrogant defiance and blatant
usually turn to headed by Tony Perkins. Perkins was suspended
hostility toward the U.S. Constitution inspired them to lead an insurrection from
in the MVN is as a reserve police officer after failing to inform
the Oval Office, effectively convincing good people that government dependence
the “Right Turn”his superiors of a violent attack he knew was
is a morally acceptable alternative to dependence on God, family, community
column, as it often provides something to getplanned against a Baton Rouge women’s clinic.
and self.
mad about and take issue with in my nextHe lost a run for U.S. Senate from Louisiana
column. Last week, it was Michael Reaganwhen it was brought out he’d been fined
addressing the Duggar family story, and Ifor illegally hiding connections with David
Progressive godfather FDR did what progressives do best, hijacking the crisis at
found myself in complete agreement. ReaganDuke. He’s condemned the Employment Non-
hand, the Great Depression, and molding the U.S. government into a pseudo-
decried how some, in particular RepublicanDiscrimination Act as a result of President
god. Although both New Deals failed on multiple levels, some of the programspresidential candidate Mike Huckabee (who’dObama’s working for the “totalitarian
and subsidies permanently persuaded people that an interventionist governmentaccused the Obamas of bad parenting forhomosexual lobby”. Anti-bullying rules in
is good. That was not enough. Progressives understood the “God-factor” must be
allowing their daughters to listen to Beyonce),schools are part of the “homosexual agenda”.
removed to accomplish their goal of secularization, wherein religion loses cul
will ignore and trivialize child abuse in orderFormer House Speaker Dennis Hastert
tural and social significance. In 1947, the Supreme Court, largely packed with
to associate with celebrity and not alienate its(R-IL) was indicted last week; charged with
FDR appointees, decided the First Amendment instituted a “wall of separation”
fan base. (Reagan added that as an eight-year-illegally structuring $1.7 million in cash
between church and state in Everson v. Board of Education. In so doing, they
old he’d been a victim of abuse at the hands of withdrawals for hush money in silencing
were able to separate morality and ethics from government and daily life.
a camp counselor.)allegations he’d sexually abused a student
Hence, the immoral mess we see today.
Crimes were committed not just by eldestwhen a high school wrestling coach. For those
son Josh (now 27), who confessed as a 15-year-with memories, we recall Hastert as one of the
old to having molested a five-year-old andHouse figures issuing moral condemnations
A recent Pew survey found that in 1990, 86 percent of Americans identified as
other sisters, and possibly a family friend.as they guided the impeachment of President
Christians and today, just 70 percent. Interestingly, mainline Protestant denomi-
The parents waited 16 months to report theClinton.
nations such as Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopalian, who have
abuse, seeking no help or counseling for theirFirst there was Speaker Newt Gingrich
consciously dimmed their own bulbs in recent years to remain relevant to theson or victims during that time, in violation(R-GA). Nine years after the impeachment,
demands of pop culture, dropped from 50 percent in 1958 to 14 percent in 2015.
of Arkansas’ Permitting Abuse of a Minorhe confessed he’d been having an affair
As mosques are being raised at record levels in towns and cities across America
law. But for both the son and the parents, theduring the time he was railing against the
and Europe, churches are increasingly vacated.
statute of limitations has expired.president’s involvement with Paula Jones and
Years ago, a guilty pleasure of mine wasMonica Lewinsky. This was during his second
Today, more often than not, Jesus’ command for Christians to be “light” in a dark
listening to on-air personal advice from Dr.marriage; his first wife says he came to go over
world is translated “let’s keep it subdued, so no one needs to squint.” In fashion
Laura Schlesinger. Whenever a caller began bydivorce terms when she was in the hospital
photography, soft light works because it helps to conceal the unvarnished reality.
announcing, “I’m a Christian, and we practicerecovering from cancer surgery. ABC News
In sharp contrast, pure light reveals an honest picture, flaws and all. Interesting-
strong Christian values in our family”, I knewpointed out that the then-top-three Republican
ly, when Jesus revealed himself to the Christian persecutor, Saul, he appeared in
I’d be in for something especially salacious.presidential contenders, Rudy Giuliani, Sen.
It’s not about religion. Michael Reagan’s John McCain (R-AZ) and Gingrich had eight
light so harsh and offensively bright, Saul was temporarily blinded. Saul’s blind-
brother Ron Jr. was asked to compare theirpast and present wives between them.
ness slowed him down long enough to see the contrast between truth and lies,
father with more contemporary “ChristianAfter Gingrich came Rep. Bob Livingston
right and wrong, leading to a conversion so complete, his name was changed
conservatives”. He explained that although (R-LA). He was still “Speaker-elect” when
from Saul to Paul.
his father found great comfort, inspirationhe resigned the day of the vote to impeach.
and guidance through his Christian faith, heHustler publisher Larry Flint had offered a
Some would rather spread buttercream icing over cow manure than call this
“didn’t feel the need to wear his religion on hisreward for those coming forward with stories
moral decline for what it is. Vanderbilt University Professor of Law and Political
sleeve.” of illicit affairs with Republican leaders. In the
Science Edward L. Rubin says America’s nosedive into the moral abyss is noth-
There was no such reticence with Josh case of Rep. Livingston, four women did.
ing to fret because we are just shifting to a “new morality” based on a “concept
Duggar. Proclaiming “Christian family(After his resignation, Livingston’s House
of self-fulfillment.” Rubin suggests this fluffed-up version of hedonism is mak
values”, he railed against an LGBT non-seat went to David Vitter, who later as senator
ing people uncomfortable because they are feeling rapidly “pulled between two
discrimination measure in Arkansas in order was busted when his phone number showed
moralities.” Paul/Saul wrote about the same struggle in Romans 7, reminding
to protect “the well-being of women andup at the brothel of the “D.C. Madam”. Vitter
children in our cities”. Gay marriage must bemaintains a strong record on “Christian
true believers to hold fast to “God’s law,” not giving in to the new morality he
condemned because “what’s really at stake values”; supporting funds to teach “creative
called “sin.”
here is the American family”. On the Todaydesign” rather than evolution, while opposing
Show, he described his family as “the epitomefunds for low-cost housing,)
The only way progressivism wins is without the presence of absolute truth. With-
of family values. People connect to us in thatFollowing Livingston came Hastert, now
out it, morality is defined by ever-changing social whims; what’s wrong todayway.”charged with attempts to “conceal sexual abuse
is right tomorrow. Truth is, it’s impossible to define morality without a plumb
When his parents first reported the against a former male student”.
line or divine standard. Wandering outside already-established boundaries since
incidents, it was not to police but to the elders ofOn Fox News, Brit Hume and Geraldo
the beginning of time gets us where we are today. History demonstrates it. Polls
their church who referred Josh to a “Christian Rivera insist it’s Dennis Hastert who’s the
prove it. Empty pews show it. Progressives love it.
treatment program”. The Institute for Basicreal “victim”. Megyn Kelly assures she won’t
Life Principles was located in a facility donated“cross-examine” or be tough on the Duggars;
Susan Stamper Brown Susan’s is a recovering political pundit from Alaska, who
by Hobby Lobby, which argued to the Supremejust allow them a chance to tell their story. But
does her best to make sense of current day events using her faith.
Court the corporation’s “religious beliefs” it’s not that she accepts wrongdoers escaping
required it to dictate to female employeesaccountability and punishment. On her show,
what would be covered under their health Kelly angrily wondered why the police chief
E-mail Susan at: writestamper@gmail.com.
plans. The Institute’s founder, televangelist who released Josh Duggar’s police records
Bill Gothard, produced materials for Christianhadn’t been fired.
homeschoolers. Gothard was forced to resign
Mountain
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