Speak Out 11/16/01

Another hot issue

I'VE DEFINITELY gotten quite a bit of a feel for how the Southeast Missourian's readership feels about issues such as homosexuality and abortion. I'm curious what you think about Attorney General John Ashcroft's attempts to do away with assisted suicide. Seeing that this is an area with a relatively large elderly population, I'm curious what everyone's take is on this issue.

Support your teams

I JUST wanted to congratulate both of our area football teams -- Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson -- for advancing in the playoffs. Both teams have done very well. I can't say enough about how much community support means to high school athletics. I moved to Cape a couple of years ago, and it seems these kids don't have a lot of people behind them. I come from a place where high school football is an event, not just another game. It doesn't matter if they're on a winning streak or if they've lost a couple games. Be proud of where you or your kids or neighbors go to school, and come out and show that pride, not just in football, but in other extracurricular activities as well. We spend so much time being negative that we forget how much a little positive can go with kids and teen-agers. Good luck to all those teams who've made it thus far, and I wish you continued success.

Can't pick and choose

JEANNE WELLS hit the nail on the head. So often we want to pick and choose what is or is not in the Bible. If we followed every rule there was, we could not lead the same day-to-day lives we do. Not only this, but she made an excellent point that the word "homosexual" has only recently made its way into the Good Book. We bend the rules as we see fit, and it's time for everyone to do their homework like Wells has and find the true meaning of certain passages in the Bible.

A little research

THANK YOU, Jeanne Wells, thank you. Finally, an intelligent, rational voice has spoken and explained some of the historical and cultural origins of the mentions of homosexuality in the Bible. Her column was right on target and explains the situations that many of our recent religious scholars take for granted, such as the Jewish Codes and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Finally someone has stood up and shown that maybe we shouldn't take everything at face value. A little research and insight, as Jeanne has proven, goes a long way.

Reason without attack

I APPRECIATE Jeanne Wells' column about the Holiness Code. It was interesting. Although I don't agree with all her arguments, she expressed them in a clear and caring way without attacking others. I wish more people could be like that. We would actually learn more and make better decisions.

Enough stop signs

HOW ABOUT a stoplight, not another miserable four-way stop sign? This city is littered with stop signs already, and the last thing we need is another one. A roundabout would be the best solution, but unfortunately the city doesn't know how to build one correctly. It's a shame they didn't do it right to begin with and show people how helpful a real roundabout can be.

Our mandate to judge

"DO YOU not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?" (I Corinthians 6: 2-3). The Christian is given the mandate to make judgments regarding righteousness and sin. How can we faithfully exercise our discipleship if we cannot judge the eternal consequences of right and wrong? Likewise, we cannot camp our arguments regarding this issue solely on singular utterances found within Scripture while ignoring or opposing the entirety of the Word. Jesus of Nazareth himself said, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24). Such a standard is not rooted in the contradictory nature of human frailty, but in the mind of Christ. After all, He is the Word.

Taking care of business

ONCE AGAIN, the Scott County commissioners have made us proud. For the first time in my memory, we have three commissioners who stand up for what's right and what's best for the county. They appear to be taking care of the county's funds just as if they would their own. This should please Scott County residents.

New bar, old problems

THANK GOODNESS, the bar was closed on Good Hope. But in beautiful downtown Cape Girardeau, what opens? A bar to replace the one on Good Hope. Same patrons, same activities, same noise, same drugs, same loitering, same booming car stereos, same brawls, same loud cursing in the early-morning hours. Liquor bottles filled the alleys and sidewalks with broken glass everywhere. The litter includes food remnants, empty alcohol containers and used crack pipes. Increasingly, cars and homes in the area have been vandalized. Drug deals and drug use transpire regularly. What was once a lovely place has become a public nuisance.