This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015

Certified carnivore

Morris Newman wrote about a veggie Thanksgiving. If that's what he wants then good for him. As for me, I want meat and will have it. Don't worry Morris, I won't lie awake worrying about how some animal died. No guilt trip here. And since we know how to store, prepare and cook food, there will be no trips to the hospital. I believe there is a place for all of God's animals and that is beside the mashed potatoes and gravy — so pass the gravy, please.

— W. Kyle Heesh

Elko

Strengthening faith

In recent editions The Telegraph has made a habit of publishing columns by Dr. William Cummings that mock traditional conservative approaches to Christianity and the Bible. And they wonder why they are losing subscribers and advertisers. Perhaps the readers are voting with their wallets. Dr. Cummings is entitled to his opinion, but I am entitled to mine. In his most recent column, Dr. Cummings trots out the common liberal rant that the Apostle Paul hated women. He cites several scriptures that are often cited by a unique alliance of liberals who hope to undermine traditional Christianity, and male chauvinist, who hope to use the Bible to oppress women, as evidence of his viewpoint.

I am somewhat familiar with Dr. Cummings and know that he has an academic background. However, I would remind The Telegraph, its readers and Dr. Cummings, that there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Anyone who does research can take individual scriptures out of context. The ultimate purpose of the scriptures is to help us to strengthen our faith. Scriptures strengthen our faith by informing us, enlightening us, inspiring us, comforting us and sometimes challenging us. Academics may choose to mock this approach to life but I would remind them that many see the Original Sin of Adam and Eve not in the act of eating a piece of fruit, but rather see the Original Sin as their thinking they knew better than God.

Hebrews Chapter 11:1 tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In verse 3 it states "(t)hrough faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." I wish Dr. Cummings had included those verses in his column.

— Max Wood

Macon

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 9:31 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015 ."