Christians Seek Democratic Voice

URL=http://geocities.datacellar.net/Athens/3680/gt005.htm, e-mail sent Tuesday, February 20, 1996 8:58 AM

To The Editor:

In today's Gazette Telegraph, Nat Hentoff appears to be concerned that certain political groups are using Christianity as a litmus test for candidates and (gasp) may also be "fishing for souls for Christ." He ends his column by declaring he's not a Christian. I am a Christian, and with sympathy I watch fellow believers who are trying to make this country a better place by applying the teachings of Jesus Christ to social problems.

Having said that, I also sympathize with Mr. Hentoff's unspoken fears that the Inquisition is returning. I sympathize, but I cannot agree with those who fear that Pat Robertson is Torquemada reincarnate. Something else is going on in America today, and it is much closer to the sentiment of the Declaration of Independence than it is to the so-called "godless constitution."

In that document, Thomas Jefferson wrote about King George that "HE has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance." How little has changed in over two hundred years! Jefferson used the terms "Nature's God," the "Creator," "the Supreme Judge of the World," and "divine Providence" to justify the people's right to oppose such injustice.

When the Pilgrims' country persecuted them, they emmigrated. When the Founding Fathers' king persecuted them, they fought for independence. Now that there is no new country where we can flee, and no king to fight, Christians are left to struggle for a voice in the democratic process. And if a few souls are won for Christ in the process, well, what is the harm in that?

-- Timothy B. Chambers

Monument, CO

[The GT published my letter on Saturday, February 24, sans the final sentence.]

The Gazette Telegraph (http://www.gazette.com) serves the area around Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

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