TV commercials should say what we believe in
I’ve seen two of the UMC commercials currently running on TV.  One says, “Find your path; share the journey.” The other says, “Believe in something.”
 I think we need to be able to have an open heart and meet people where they are, but I think we should also be gently bold enough to share with others exactly whose path we are on as Christians. Jesus makes the very best company to walk with on this journey.
The UMC is currently spending $2 million for TV time, and another $25 million between 2005 and 2008. Do I really need to continue giving to the church when it has this kind of money to spend on commercials?
I don’t just believe in something. I believe in Jesus Christ as lord and savior and that his path is the only path. Jesus is the path we should all be on. 
I pray I’m gently bold enough to share the truth about Jesus with others. 
Joanne Stowe
Elgin

We can’t find clear ‘truth’ in our ancient scriptures
In “We should offer Christ with love but not accept sin” (Aug. 26), J. David Trawick criticized what Dan Adams said about homosexuals Aug. 12 (“Let’s be clear about what the Bible says about homosexuality”).
That led me to wonder why Mr. Trawick was writing about homosexuality if it was a bad topic to write about. Mr. Adams made comments that United Methodists should know.
Regarding truth and the Bible, Reinhold Niebur says in The Nature and Destiny of Man, “(I)t is not possible to establish the claim that we have the truth.” That applies to homosexuality as well as other topics.
Hans Kung says in On Being Christian that “my knowledge of faith is nevertheless everywhere followed by doubt as its shadow.”
Considering the doubt and uncertainty these biblical scholars spell out, I can see why Mr. Trawick and Mr. Adams would disagree about homosexuality. Maybe one or both are unaware of the uncertainty and doubt that accompany the Bible. That would explain why they disagree about what the Bible tells them.
The Bible does not, in my opinion, tell them much—even though it is a beautiful book to read. What does the Bible—written some 2,000 years ago by people little better educated than peasants—have for us today as we cope with a vastly more complex world of science, engineering and huge cities?
James J. Billings
Las Cruces, N.M.