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
Opinion
Our founding fathers had reverence for God
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Here it comes!
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