RE: Letters: Gun violence, imitating Jesus, HSU statement of faith
I am pretty sure I will be in the minority here, but I would like to state my opinion anyway.
Yes, according to the Second Amendment, we have the right to bear arms. However, I don’t think our forefathers had any idea people would use that amendment to the detriment of so many innocent people. They were just thinking of single-shot rifles and pistols.
Why would even a 21-year-old need an automatic weapon? In fact, unless you are in the military, why would a 31-, 41- or 51-year-old need that type of weapon?
Those types of weapons should be taken off the market for ordinary citizens to purchase. Of course, those who have used the weapons for mass murders should not be considered “ordinary citizens” in the first place.
And just for ordinary pistols, rifles and other firearms, the background checks should be more extensive.
This letter is not to be considered Republican or Democratic, just a concerned citizen.
Bill Altom
Gallatin, Tenn.
RE: BGCT sexual abuse prevention
Over the next two days, the Southern Baptist Convention Sexual Abuse Task Force will give its report to SBC messengers. While I am grateful the SBC has provided many impactful recommendations for the various states to implement and follow, I am thankful the Baptist General Convention of Texas had minimal items to address.
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As the director of human resources for Texas Baptists and a member of the Sexual Abuse Task Force, I share the responsibility of addressing the issue of sexual abuse on a state-by-state level within the various churches affiliated with the SBC.
At the convention level, Texas Baptists run background checks on every employee, contractor and volunteer. We provide yearly training about sexual abuse and sexual harassment. We also train our people how to spot predators who groom, not only our children, but also must groom church leaders first.
For the churches who’ve been affected with sexual abuse, we have hundreds of statewide counselors prepared to deal with sexual abuse. We also provide education, resources and a direct link to MinistrySafe for the churches within the BGCT to utilize and strive to make sure no child or woman ever is raped or abused. This is due to the foresight of BGCT leaders who always have considered sexual abuse a high priority.
While I am thankful for the national call for SBC conventions and churches to increase their efforts in stopping sexual abuse, I am thankful additionally that Texas has been and will continue to be proactive in the fight against sexual abuse within the local church.
Ray Malone, director of human resources
Texas Baptists
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