Letters - Wednesday

Haggard belongs in the pews

There are genuine concerns for both sincere Christians and non-believers about the recent articles concerning Ted Haggard. Sincere Bible-believing Christians view what is happening at Mr. Haggard’s home as emotion-driven. Non-believers would have every reason to laugh at the absence of piety and the apparent hypocrisy.

It is absolutely true that “Christians are to forgive.” It is also true that God has laid out definite qualifications for leaders. In Titus 1:7, Scripture declares an overseer (pastor, elder, bishop) “must be blameless.” This does not refer to sinless perfection, but to a personal life that is beyond legitimate accusation and public scandal. This qualification is explained in 1 Timothy 3:2, 10. In Proverbs 6:33, adultery is referred to as “a wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”

I believe Mr. Haggard has been defrocked, dismissed and at the present is deceived in returning as an example to any flock. To a society that expects Christians to be different and have things together, this is a slam against being lights in a dark world.

While forgiveness and acceptance are beyond question, certainly returning to a pulpit and teaching the virtues of a Christan-life lived and saying, “follow me as I follow Christ” is out of the question. Such a former leader involved in moral failure must take his place in the pews.

Kenneth Schubert, Colorado Springs

Who really pays taxes?

I’ve seen too many letters from people who don’t seem to realize that everyone in the area, not just property owners, pays some part of all property taxes collected. I hope those letter writers read this so they’ll better understand how this works.

Rent paid by tenants, residential and business, contribute to the owners’ funds with which he/she pays property taxes. Part of the price of every purchase made in the area goes to help pay business owners’ property taxes. So please don’t think non-property owners get out of paying property taxes. We all pay in various ways.

The problem with 2C was its size, vagueness and indefinite nature. Please, Council, bring something more specific and purposeful next time.

Peggy Strub, Colorado Springs

Bruce for mayor, governor

In response to Bruce Huber and Jerold Elliott’s letters in Saturday’s Gazette (Nov. 14), I couldn’t agree more. I challenge you, Doug Bruce, to run for Mayor. Take on the coat of responsibility. I dare you. It is such an easy thing to do, to sit back and throw darts at those with the responsibility to keep things running in tough times. Better yet, as Jerold says, run for Governor. Think of what the State of Doug (aka Colorado) could be with you at the helm. If you have the guts to do it Doug, I’ll even vote for you. For that matter, I’ll vote for Bruce Huber or Jerold Elliott if either of them runs for Mayor.

C’mon guys, take the challenge. I dare you. Or are you just another bunch of hide-behind-skirts rabble rousers with no real guts to back up what you say?

Dan Spohn, Colorado Springs

Peaceful American reaction

Another failure by the decadent imperialist Americans… In the days since the terrible Fort Hood tragedy there has not been a single riot in the streets. No mosques were fire bombed, no individuals of Mid-Eastern or Islamic persuasion were lynched. We didn’t institute a security roundup of people either.

You have to wonder what kind of example is this setting for the rest of the world? Don’t Americans have emotions that can be expressed in mindless acts of violence?

Maybe we are too set in our ways of civilized maturity fed by several decades of real freedom and democracy. If we don’t tell anyone maybe it won’t catch on.

Michael S. Welsh, Colorado Springs