As an evangelist, teacher, author, and publisher, my work has taken me throughout this continent and Great Britain. My home is in the Cleveland area, but most of my time has been spent in West Virginia, my wife of 62 years being a Fairmont girl.
When visiting your area I look forward to reading the Cumberland Times-News, especially the articles of Cal Thomas.
Your recent publication of Norm Fitzgerald’s letter titled “America was founded on religion and the Bible” delighted me. From what I hear, many folks complimented Norm.
Then, you published a rebuttal to Fitzgerald’s letter from Jeremy Gosnell that revealed to me the fairness of your paper to print this ramble and Gosnell’s ignorance on many issues.
Fitzgerald is 71 and has devoted his life for the good of others. Gosnell is not even 30, so Fitzgerald has 42 years more experience with life than Gosnell. Fitzgerald did not receive the respect he deserves in Gosnell’s letter.
His so-called “facts” have been gleaned from the Internet, and possibly atheistic contributers. He portrayed some of our country’s fathers as villains with no fear of God. Not true! Let me relate the true character of a few of our founding fathers.
Every morning, for one hour, George Washington kneeled before a chair with his Bible, read the word of God and prayed. The same took place every evening. Imagine, 14 hours a week alone with his Bible and God.
After taking oath of office, he kissed the Bible, then led the Congress to church. He commented, “He is no patriot in this nation who seeks to undermine religion.”
Under his command, no soldier could curse or swear. The punishment was 50 lashes.
A few quotes:
“The only assurance of our nation’s safety is to lay our foundation in morality and religion.” — Abraham Lincoln.
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!” — Patrick Henry.
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” — George Washington.
“The principles of all genuine liberty, and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the Bible and sustained by its authority. The man therefore who weakens or destroys the divine authority of that Book may be accessory to all the public disorders which society is doomed to suffer.” — Noah Webster.
We see sane thinking and reverence for God in America’s founding fathers. This has made America great. However, due to the influence of men that hold the concepts of Gosnell, we are losing that greatness.
It is evident Gosnell has little regard for the Bible, calling it a “great inspiration for violence.” I have read the Bible carefully over 300 times, and understand the “violence” was God’s judgement on nations and people for their sins. It was justice carried out.
I have never “stuffed God and the Bible down everyone’s throat” as Gosnell accuses, but have sought, in my 84 years, to tell people of the love of God, who gave His Son to die for our sins, and that by trusting Him, we can obtain eternal salvation.
Gosnell states, “Respecting people for who they are.” Christians love people in spite of what they are, for all are sinners without merit.
God says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6). Gosnell’s claim we are all different contradicts the Bible, which states that we are all sinners in need of God’s salvation. (Romans 3). Thanks to Fitzgerald for his excellent article and to the Times-News for supporting the truth and not being biased.
Robert E. Surgenor
Fairview Park, Ohio
Letters
Our founding fathers had reverence for God
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Help keep teen drivers safe during the summer months
Memorial Day marks the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of the year on our nation’s roads for teen drivers.
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Walk Smart
Many local residents will be visiting Ocean City this summer, so it is worth noting that the resort has launched a campaign that it hopes will keep pedestrians out of harm’s way.
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Trailer case bound to increase scrutiny on town of Piedmont
This letter is in response to the recent story concerning the guilty plea entered in federal court by Piedmont’s town foreman (“Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea,” May 21 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Fixing community’s problems starts with your young people
I am writing this letter to the editor because I think our community really needs to work on plenty of issues. Some of them are:
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Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
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Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
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These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” -
Housing project will have bad effect on property in this area
I am writing to you to voice my opposition to a low income housing project that has been proposed for construction on a tract of land on Pine Swamp Road in Mineral County, W.Va. I am a registered voter and resident of Mineral County and live in the New Creek/Pine Swamp area.
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
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What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
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Help keep teen drivers safe during the summer months
