To the Editor:
To answer Marion Burger’s letter and maybe a question that has been bothering me and probably other folks too.
Why were there only Baptists listed in a list of citizens supporting placing “In God We Trust†on the Anderson County Courthouse?
Rather than trying to meet and address the needs of all citizens, the Baptists have applied the rule of man rather than God. Anderson County’s own mayor chose not to support Anderson County’s citizens, but rather Anderson County’s Baptist citizens.
I usually try to feel how much people are in touch with reality. Sometimes you get disgusted and try to ignore man’s vices of force.
I was talking to this lady at the hospital and asked her how she felt about the “In God We Trust” issues. She said, “I do not believe in this issue, for I am agnostic.” Now this person runs around seeing that everyone’s need gets met.
I keep pondering if there is a deeper meaning than “In God WeTrust.â€
I think about how blank walls have been covered by another word created by God/man—graffiti.
Many times it is truly art.
As a person who has dealt with discrimination all my life, I was really disappointed in the majority of county commissioners that I respected who chose to use religion as a means to govern rather to govern by compassion for all citizens.
Do they speak for me? No.
Lee Roy Gilliam
Oak Ridge
Denny Phillips says
As I read your letter, I think of other signs that cater to only a small segment of society rather than the needs of all citizens.
Charlie Jernigan says
Like what? Men and Women on bathroom doors? Certainly not Exit!?!
Denny Phillips says
Some people find the terms “Men” and “Women” offensive and believe in a gender-free society. Many progressive communities have moved to gender neutral bathrooms which don’t force the Jim Crow-style segregation of men and women during urination and defecation. Tear down these bathroom signs!
Charlie Jernigan says
So what kind of signs were you referring to?
Denny Phillips says
We’ll have to ask Lee Roy.
Lee Roy, can you think of any other signs that serve only the needs and wishes of a select group of citizens?
Would any of those signs be “forced on” others and make them required to behave in certain ways and believe certain things?
Charlie Jernigan says
But you said that while reading this letter, you were thinking of other signs… Which ones did you think of?
CK says
Lee Roy,this is hardly a new controversy .
http://www.goldline.com/motto-vs-nomotto
President Teddy Roosevelt ordered the motto “In God We Trust†stricken from coins (hence the name “No Mottoâ€).
Despite his motivations, the public construed the omission of this motto as an attack upon religion. The resulting uproar quickly led to a Congressional act restoring the inscription which was added in mid-1908. Thus, from late 1908 until the $20 Saint-Gaudens’ end in 1933, all Saint-Gaudens double eagles were struck with the motto
“IN GOD WE TRUST.”
CK says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_we_trust
Susan Gawarecki says
Regarding signs on the courthouse, I would prefer one that reads “In Evidence We Trust.”