This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015

Different understanding

Dr. Bill Cummings was waxing eloquent and muddying the waters once again this past Sunday (9/27) with his take on the need for women to be silent in the church — the community, not the building. At the time of the writing of Titus and Timothy (2nd Century), whoever wrote these letters, the church was suffering from growing pains and there was a huge problem with Gnosticism in the church, which viewed moral behavior as relative to each individual with no intrinsic connection to salvation. Gnosticism taught a flawed view of a duality of God and a flawed female lesser god, called Sophia (Wisdom), who was the cause of the being who created the material and psychic cosmos.

In connection with this many women had begun practicing the pagan Dionysiac mystery religions, which included promiscuous sexual activity in their rites, commingling these with Christianity. For reasons then, as now, many women became vociferous proponents of this heresy, teaching it in authoritative ways, presuming to instruct even their bishops. It was these women who were admonished to be silent (i.e. give up their Gnostic beliefs) and to be submissive, not so much to men or to “learn their place,” but to the authentic teaching of the church. It was not a question of equality, which was always the authentic teaching of the church, as Genesis teaches Eve was drawn from Adam’s side making her his partner and equal, not from his foot making her less equal, or his head, making her superior.

— Rev. Mr. Dennis Arcand, OFS

Warner Robins

Criticism of divergent beliefs

Bill Cummings does not accept the concept in the Pauline epistles that women should be subservient and submissive to men and that they should not be able to teach or hold any kind of authority. To some this seems the prevailing view in various religions.

Gary McCall claims President Obama and the majority of lawmakers in Congress are definitely not Christians. I wonder if this is because their biblical beliefs are not the same as his. He claims most Americans do not think we are a Christian nation. He states there is no separation of state and church in the Constitution. He claims the Supreme Court has declared that we are a Christian nation.

My understanding of the Constitution is that the government cannot establish a state religion, even if the majority of its citizens are Christians. And religious people are free to base their political decisions on their beliefs. James Harris wants us to come to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus.

It’s amazing to me how so many people can have such divergent views of the Bible. To me the Bible is a source of comfort and joy. I believe everyone is entitled to their beliefs and it is wrong to criticize or condemn others for their beliefs.

— Jim Costello

Perry

Different ideas

Recent proposals to build a $2 million-plus senior facility in Central City Park may not be the best solution. The idea of placing a new facility in such a flood zone is asking for trouble. Instead, I suggest taking a look at the Alexander 4 School on Ridge Avenue. The school board has apprised its condition to be fairly good and the neighborhood is outstanding. A million dollars spent on this important and attractive old building would be an excellent location to place our resources and should please the seniors in such a safe and convenient location.

Regarding baseball in Macon. As has been noted, Macon has not supported professional sports for whatever reasons. Two football teams have failed as have the Macon Whoopee and various versions of minor league baseball. However, football suddenly took off with Mercer football. It has generated real excitement and sold out tickets.

I would suggest rather than attempt to get minor league baseball that we should actively support Mercer baseball which actually has a chance to shine on the national arena and has a wonderfully upgraded baseball field. Luther Williams Park is a treasure and should be preserved and could be used for small venue concerts, high school games and has been often used in movies.

— Ned Dominick

Macon

If they can do it ...

For several years I lived in southern Monroe County and used to go visiting the nearby recycling center. Since moving to Macon, I still accumulate recyclables and pack the trunk of my car when I visit family who live in another county about an hour away. We do that every couple of weeks, and I am really amazed at the amount of newspaper, cardboard, glass, metal, No. 1 plastic (the clear bottles, produce and grocery containers, etc.) and No. 2 plastic (the milk-jug type), that pile up during that time.

When I think about thousands of Macon households, each putting that amount (and more) into our landfill. Knowing recycling, it would save natural resources and energy, I wonder why in the world Macon prefers to keep trying to hide it in the ground when we know very soon it’s going to cost us $11 million to cover up that hole.

If a half-dozen smaller counties around Bibb are able to set up a few recycling centers which are within a few minutes drive of every resident and save on garbage collection and decrease their landfill costs (while saving us all manufacturing costs and decreasing pollution), I don’t know why we can’t.

Heck, if they’re actually not astronomically far away from the break-even point at these centers, let’s contract with Monroe County to use theirs in Bolingbroke, or set up one just off Eisenhower Parkway and maybe another somewhere on Pio Nono near Hillcrest. The cost might look good if it postpones the $11 million cost by a few years.

— Fred Brown

Macon

Discipline the key

I do not have to be a “professional” to understand that Macon Charter Academy Principal Ron Boykins and staff have a problem on their hands. The No. 1 requirement in any activity is discipline, plain and simple. Without it, nothing is possible. No teacher worth his/her salt should enter a classroom where they, and they alone, are not in total control.

Those youngsters who feel the necessity to “love bite, kick, or otherwise strike those in charge should be ejected immediately from the school and the parent/parents required to report to those in charge of the school so a repeat of the offense is unlikely to occur. Maybe a little home discipline is required here.

As for the unruliness in the cafeteria, shut it down and hand out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to stave off starvation to those so desperately in need. As for the cleanliness of the facility, do those in charge of cleaning wish to get paid? Simple as the nose on your face.

No doubt those who are causing problems are not the ones forking out the money in an attempt at doing good. They believe that money, like welfare, grows on trees. Back to basics, guys and gals. Let’s start with discipline.

— Ken Brown

Byron

Answered prayer

My Sunday School class was given bracelets to remind us to pray for our country every day. In my humble opinion we see evidence of answered prayer with the resignation of Speaker of the House John Boehner. Hopefully, Mitch McConnell, will be next on the list. True conservative leaders must replace them. Keep praying that God will intervene, He does answer our prayers.

— A.M. “Mac” Yaughn

Macon

FairTax plan

After reading a few recent opinions on the FairTax, I felt compelled to respond. The FairTax was the most thoroughly researched plan in the U.S. Congress. Despite the positive economic feedback from former President George W. Bush’s economic staff, most fellow Republicans and Democrats did not consider it due to political reasoning. Many critics claim that 23 percent (some quote 30 percent) is added to the end of all new items purchased.

When trusting over $20 million of research among private economists, it is clear that 23 percent is an inclusive figure within the price of the new item. In other words, all of the inclusive taxes that are already present within a new $1,000 product are replaced by the 23 percent inclusive tax, which would mean that $230 is sent to the federal government. The consumer still pays $1,000.

American families are reimbursed with a monthly rebate check for the FairTax on new items of necessity, and the amount is based on family size and legal citizenship status. The FairTax would bring more jobs from overseas, increase full-time jobs, expand the tax base and more tax revenue would boost Social Security and Medicare funding.

I am not surprised as to why bureaucrats never mention the rebate check while falsely quoting the FairTax as an exclusive tax. I encourage the American electorate to study the FairTax plan and not be misled by the same Washington, D.C. politicians who continually add to the $40,000 plus debt on the head of every new born baby in America.

— Alan Preston

Macon

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 7:25 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015 ."