Thankful for Rush
Regarding Samuel Greene's criticism of Rush Limbaugh (March 19): I am thankful for Limbaugh, one of a few conservative voices amid the dominating liberal media.
He was upset that a 30-year-old female law student wanted others to pay for her sexually immoral lifestyle. He misspoke, like most of us do at times. He has apologized.
Christians should forgive and also pray for him. As a public figure, he is uniquely accountable for his words.
We also should pray for this woman, who obviously has been deceived by our culture and may not know what God teaches about the sin of fornication and adultery. We must pray that the Holy Spirit will bring her to realize truth, as it is truth that sets us free.
Joyce Lucas
Midland
What is pro-life?
Most people say they believe in the sanctity of human life. They agree with the preamble to the Declaration of Independence that life is a God-given right. However, there is a consensus that this nation sometimes may be justified in pursuing war that results in many deaths. Most Texans apparently believe the state sometimes may be justified in executing criminals. The laws of the state recognize justifiable homicide. The prevailing opinion is that women sometimes may be justified in having an abortion.
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The preamble to the Declaration of Independence says the God-given right to life is unalienable. That means this God-given right to life is not transferrable from God to man. Apparently, the God-given right to life is being transferred into the hands of man when he feels that it is justified.
The Scriptures address this subject: "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). A more recent version reads, "You shall not murder." Webster's dictionary defines murder as the unlawful killing of a person. So the more recent version does not prohibit the lawful killing of persons.
What are the just circumstances that make it legal to kill people in a way that meets the approval of the Creator of human life? The usual response is, "I am a pro-lifer, so don't bother me with difficult questions."
Dale Brown
Mexia
'Baptist' sounds sour
For two generations, Southern Baptists have been linked with what we are against, not what we are about. We have been known as the morality police—no drinking, dancing, card playing, movies, mixed bathing. In our rigidity, our purpose has been lost: Promoting Jesus Christ as the only hope for the souls of the world.
Couple old hard-line pulpit pounding with our more recent internal bickering and power struggles, and the name "Baptist" does not sit well with nonbelievers.
Add in more recent media reports like "Baptist congregation plans Quran burning," or "Baptist church bans interracial couples from membership," and the nonbeliever sees "Baptist" as negative. The nonbeliever lumps all Baptists together and doesn't ask if they are "Southern Baptists." Again, the word "Baptist" is sour to the nonbeliever.
Negativity associated with "Baptist" is the problem, not the word "Southern." Until we, as a denomination, can promote the virtues of Christ as hope for the world, the tide of misconception surrounding who we are and what we believe will not be turned, no matter what we call ourselves.
Kevin J. Rizer Sr.
Houston
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