Letters to the Editor, Sept. 28, 2011

Souder’s ‘divisive’ tones

The commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 was a solemn occasion marked by a coming together of all Americans for reflection, education and thought. Notice I said “all Americans.” I emphasize that as a basis for my thorough disgust with the column printed by Chuck Souder (“9-11’s message must not be forgotten,” Sept. 9). Mr. Souder took the event and used it to write an arrogant and divisive tome by claiming the following: that only those with a “Christian worldview” can “make sense” of these events; that only religious believers can have the proper sense of altruism and caring for their fellow human beings; that the ceremony in New York City arranged by Mayor Bloomberg excluded prayer; that evolution is all about self preservation and therefore “if true” eliminates the possibility of selflessness.

Let’s do some math. Approximately 3,000 people died as a result of the events of that day and its rescue efforts. The most recent surveys on Religious Affiliation in America show that approximately 78 percent of Americans are affiliated with some kind of Christian based religion/church; 1.7 percent are Jewish, .6 percent are Muslim, .7 percent are Buddhist, .4 percent are Hindu and 1.2 percent are “other faiths.”

The fastest growing group in the United States is the “non-religious” category at 16.1 percent, half of whom are declared atheist/agnostic. Therefore there is a good chance that approximately 480 non-religious people died on 9/11.

This number certainly would include those who risked or lost their lives trying to rescue others. Add to that the figures on those of non-Christian faiths who also lost their lives. Imagine that, Mr. Souder. With your column, you managed to insult the memories of hundreds of people and perhaps thousands of their surviving loved ones. Good job.

“Prayer was excluded” at the 9/11 ceremony? New York City sponsored 9/11 memorial ceremony this year, and for the past 10 years, including the one held at the 6 months anniversary, scheduled and observed 6 minutes of silence, providing a space for private prayer or reflection that honored the diverse background of those involved. I think it is quite deceitful for Mr. Souder to make no mention of these facts.

And finally, I would not expect Mr. Souder to know this, but there is a vast field of scientific study on the question of “Evolution and Human Behavior.” Selflessness comes to us through thousands of years of communities’ passing on the lessons that self preservation is enhanced when humans help each other and cooperate with each other.

You can observe that behavior in small children before they have any understanding of religion, and you can certainly observe that behavior in animal species as well. Plus, this behavior was exhibited long before Christianity became a factor in the world.

It is my observation that Mr. Souder often uses his columns on the Faith page to bash non-Christians and others, particularly Muslims, atheists and gays. Most of the time it is not worth addressing with a reply, but this time, by using 9/11 as a backdrop for his nonsense, Mr. Souder crossed the line of decency.

Linda Allewalt

Shelbyville

War on Hoffa

Okay! Mr. Hoffa, War it is....I've been thinking of buying a new car and  guess what? It will not be a union-made....Yes, I'm one of those SOBs you  hate – a Tea-Party member. I can vote and play war with hoodlums like you. Our  family has done it before. In the late ‘50s my father owned a truck line  and had to payoff your father every time he needed help with union troubles. So war it is. You will not see me buying a GM or Chrysler, companies owned and run by our current president – your pal.

John Test

Finchville

Griffitts builds course

Golf pro Derrick Griffitts is doing something right at Clear Creek Golf Center. The best-kept secret in the state is kicking up its heels and having a ball – golf ball that is.

Griffitts, in just three years, has taken a league of golfers from 25-30 to 60-plus participants. Knowing you can't win every week doesn't seem to matter. Having a good time and participating in a sport that you have a passion for takes center stage.

While there are glitches, such as not enough riding carts sometimes, no one seems to mind. Even the 90-degree temperature hasn't slowed the attendance down that much.

It is surprising on any Wednesday that 60 or more 50-plus-year-old folks will gather for a 9-hole round of exercise and enjoy it! On Friday, they even let the young folks join them. Thank you, Derrick Griffitts, for entertaining us twice a week.

Nancy Finney

Shelbyville

Helpful firefighters

I just wanted to let everyone know about the wonderful treatment I had from the Shelbyville Fire Department. In July, during a bad thunder and lightning storm, my house caught on fire when lightning struck my yard. I called 911 and stated my emergency, and the fire department was at my house in less than five minutes. Thankfully the fire was a small one and was easily put out, but because my gas pipe had started leaking, they [firefighters] made sure the electric company and the gas company were called and that someone was coming to check everything out. They also helped look for my animals and made sure the house was properly aired out before they would let my children and I back in. They were very calm, courteous, and very much what I needed at a scary point of my life. Unfortunately I did not catch anyone’s names, so I can’t thank them individually. But I am very thankful that they came so quickly and were so thorough in making sure my family and I were OK. Thank you again.

Christina Owens

Shelbyville

Endorsement letters

to publish Nov. 2

Endorsement letters for candidates in this year’s general election will be published on Nov. 2.

Those letters must be received by the Sentinel-News no later than Oct. 28.

The usual rules for letters to the editor apply, with a preference for letters 250 words or fewer.

All letters will be edited.

E-mail letters to sdoyle@sentinelnews.com