Letters to the editor

We should all be careful
about ways we use texts
I was intrigued with David Trawick’s article (“Moderate Muslims need to speak against cartoon violence,” Feb. 24).
I think Mr. Trawick raises some very important issues and draws attention to the dangers in extremist interpretations of sacred writings, especially ones that lack a “historical setting.” I especially appreciated his balanced examination of the issues around reactions to the Danish cartoons.
 The article motivated me again, however, to raise questions about the manner in which anyone uses ancient sacred texts to guide behavior, even when there is a historical setting.
Christians over the centuries have lifted out certain texts from their scriptures to justify atrocious anti-Semitic acts as well as appalling treatment of women, to give just two examples among many.
Literal renderings have produced many distortions and misrepresentations of holy writings.
Dan Adams
San Antonio

UMC should try to reach
younger people to grow
I have just read the Feb. 10 issue. The front page had a nice article about the decline of membership (“Membership appears to slip for 3rd year”). Another page had an article about “UMC seeks younger clergy candidates.”
Both issues are important to the future growth of the UMC and the offering of Christianity to all people.
Declining membership must be of utmost importance because any company or organization must continue to grow in its membership and activities, or it will fall to the side and fail. Previous methods of increasing members have been outdated by the more diverse and communicable society we have today.
We have many more working couples, and these couples have children who need Christian values and the leadership standards that accompany the leadership of Christ.
The church must appeal to the DINKS (double income no kids) and the needs of the young Americans who will be the leaders of tomorrow but also appeal to the DIWKS (double income with kids) who need a Christian place for their children who also will be the leaders of tomorrow.
The key to future growth is through the young children and the parents’ need for a safe Christian place for the children during working times. Trying to convert a 40-, 50- or 60-year-old person to Christianity is a noble cause with great merit, but continuing to accomplish the goal of increasing membership must start with the babies.
Growth can come through the UMC seeking younger candidates for the clergy as well. I have attended the annual conference session more than one time, and I have yet to see any movement to incorporate young people into the service or bring young prospective clergy candidates to the conference meetings.
We have prospective young people making various mission trips all over the United States and Mexico, but I have never seen a group of young people being brought to the annual conference session.
What better way to start a young person on the life of Christian leadership than to give that unforgettable experience of seeing the bishop and the ordination ceremony, which marks committing to a life of Christian leadership and devotion!  
John Matzinger
Cedar Park

Bob Parsons misquotes,
twists what ‘Bible says’
Bob Parsons misquotes and twists the Bible (“We should be careful about what we claim ‘the Bible says,’” Jan. 27).
Perhaps the most egregious misquote is that the Bible says the world is flat. Not so. Isaiah 40:22 says, “It is he who sits above the circle of the earth.”
Job 26:7 implies that the earth is suspended in space:  “He . . . hangs the earth on nothing.” 
The truth of the Bible (and its author) is in fact the only “platform for peace and joy” for anyone, heterosexual or homosexual.  We must stand on God’s revealed truth, not on man’s “facts,” which change over time.
None of the “facts” regarding homosexuality that Mr. Parsons cites are proved. All are contested, and some are flat out wrong. 
Whatever material explanation for homosexuality science may find, God tells us the true, spiritual reason in Romans 1:18-32: We have exchanged truth for lies and worshiped the creature rather than the creator. 
The truth is what (and who) can set homosexual—and heterosexual—men and women free from their sin and bondage. 
Linda Martin
Lytle