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SCHIAVO

Christians disagree

I have been a Baptist for 70 years and I consider myself a devoted member of “the Bride of Christ,” yet I am beginning to feel a stranger in my beloved denomination.

The Pope speaks for all Catholics, but we Baptists do not embrace that type of leadership. We believe in the “priesthood of the believer,” do we not?

Therefore, when our leaders try to represent and speak of moral values as though all Baptists feel as you do, that denies our belief that we each can pray and seek the guidance of the Holy spirit to make decisions.

Don't you believe Judge Greer prayed for guidance?

When our leaders attempt to speak for all of us, as if only they have the truth, it causes division among us.

On many issues, as in the Schiavo case, there are committed Christians on both sides.

If our leaders alone have the truth, where does that leave us believers as we live out our lives praying and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Helen Gibson
Jacksonville

Appreciate Editorial

I appreciated, and agree with, your editorial in the April 7 issue of the Witness (“Terri Schiavo has passed; our work remains”). For those who may have missed your writing, let me repeat your three points:

1. “We live in an imperfect world, marred by the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and disfigured by the sins of all of humanity living today...

2. “One day justice will be done, and sinners should accept God's mercy before it's too late...

3. “Jesus commands His disciples to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ (Matt.5:13-16) in this sinful world ... .”

I passionately wish the secular media could both understand and pass on, that while, as you said, “harsh rhetoric” and “hateful words” and “even death threats were spewed,” that “all true Christians repudiate utterly such behavior.”

You reminded us of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 3:13 not to “grow weary in doing good.” We do very much need to “remain engaged, influencing public officials to consider our concerns... (regarding) significant matters of public policy.” Our country desperately needs to realize the supreme importance of living by good morals.

Ann Clements
Wesley Chapel

CORRECTION: In the April 7 article “‘Extreme Faith’ seeks workers at First Baptist, Cocoa Beach,” the church hosting volunteers who will work on a May 2-14 project is incorrectly identified as First Baptist Church, Cocoa. As the headline indicates, the church involved in the project is First Baptist Church, Cocoa Beach. We regret the error.