Letters - Sunday

RELIGIOUS FLAP
-Evil, immorality possible in world with or without religious belief

John Stonestreet's letter was inaccurate on a few counts ("Letter writers ignored religion's role in building modern world," Dec. 10). Stonestreet wrongly states that Hitler was applying the precepts of "social Darwinism. In fact, Hitler was practicing eugenics, a theory and practice that was popular long before the publication of Darwin's theory.
Additionally, Stonestreet blamed Hitler's evil on atheism when, in fact, Hitler was a Catholic. He may not have attended mass on a regular basis, but he was certainly the product of a religious upbringing.
Stonestreet further stated that Stalin's atrocities were the result of his "atheistic utopian community ideals." Is it not possible that Stalin was simply power mad and immoral? Such atrocities have certainly been committed by apparently devoutly religious individuals who were simply power hungry and evil. Religious conviction neither causes nor prevents immoral action by immoral individuals and cultures. Morality exists despite religion, not because of it.
With regard to Nietzsche's predictions, God appears to be alive and well here in El Paso County, and is more popular than ever before. The "mass destruction" of life is not a result of the waning of religion or belief in God, but rather an increase in our ability to wage war and the efficiency with which we deal death.
Finally, with regard to natural selection and cosmology (two separate topics to be sure), Stonestreet wrote of them as if they negate the possibility of a well-ordered universe. Neither does. We do not live in a "well-ordered" universe. Yes, certain fundamental principles and laws seem to apply - most of the time. Science is not impossible without an "ordered, consistent universe." The universe is neither ordered nor consistent, but it is governed by laws that usually apply.
Ignorance is the necessary condition of those the church (religion) seeks to influence and control. Enlightenment (science) is the key to break the chains of ignorance and misinformation perpetrated by religion. God's voice may be whispering to us in the cosmos, but we don't need priests, mullahs, rabbis and others to hear. I'm quite certain Stephen Hawking hears him every day.

Laurence Warner
Colorado Springs

Writer mistaken in belief professor eschews religion

John Stonestreet, of Summit Ministries, misinformed readers by suggesting we read "the non-religious Rodney Stark's extensive work on [how belief in one God was responsible for the development of modern science]."
Actually, Stark is a Christian.
He is a professor at Baylor University, in Waco, Texas, a Baptist university whose faculty handbook states, "Faculty members at Baylor University are expected to be in sympathy with and supportive of the University's primary mission: ‘to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.'" A non-religious professor at Baylor?
And last, these words from Stark himself, from a Baylor publication: "I never had any trouble believing in God; I had a lot of trouble with the New Testament, with the whole notion that somehow blood sacrifice is essential to make certain things happen. It seemed to me very pagan," he says, adding that he wondered why God wouldn't choose another way to convey the message of salvation.
It was while he was researching the origins of science in Christianity that he came to an understanding and acceptance that made sense to him: "the New Testament story ... is thereby appropriate, necessary and true." A non-religious person who believes in God and accepts the New Testament story?
Stonestreet should be honest and accurate in his apologetics. It is pertinent whether a person claiming that religion is responsible for creating modern science is non-religious or has a dog in the flght.

Mitch Abelman
Colorado Springs 

HEALTH CARE CRISIS 
Report card shows need in state for increased funding for ERs

A new report card released by the American College of Emergency Physicians says access to Colorado emergency care is in critical condition, in part because our state has nearly the lowest rates of staffed hospital inpatient beds and psychiatric beds in the country. Our state also is the ninth-worst state in the nation for the percentage of children who are uninsured.
The state received an overall mediocre grade of a C+ , only slightly better than the C- grade given to the nation as a whole, but received a D- for access to emergency care.
We need our state legislators to increase the bed surge capacity of our state and for Congress to pass the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act.
The role of emergency departments has never been more critical to this nation, especially in a financial crisis where people are losing their health insurance and our health care system is failing. Emergency patients must become a top priority for health care reform. We are urging President-elect Barack Obama and the new Congress to strengthen emergency departments, because they are a health care safety net for us all.

David W. Ross, D.O.
Emergency Physician Penrose/St. Francis Healthcare System Colorado Springs

ADDED BURDEN
Building new roads doesn't make sense when budgets are tight

I heard on the radio this morning that El Paso County is stopping its animal control due to budget cuts. The city and county are facing budget shortfalls for operations, yet they continue to build new roads and widen roads, which creates more operating expenses in terms of repairs, snow removal and policing.
I realize that a lot of these projects are funded by the state and federal governments and heaven forbid that we turn down money being given to us, but does it really make sense to increase our operating costs when the economy is going south and revenue is decreasing? Why is it that none of our supposed leaders have the guts to lead and make common-sense, good-for-the-citizens decisions?

John Alcorn
Colorado Springs
 
LET 'EM GO
Obama should turn Gitmo prisoners loose - in Cuba

The president-elect has stated he will close the prison on the island of Cuba. Now the question is asked, what can we do with the 250-odd prisoners being held there? They have not been convicted in a court of law.
I remember a time when we agreed to accept people from Cuba if they wanted to leave. At that time, Fidel Castro emptied out his prisons and mental hospitals and sent those people to the U.S. Now is our opportunity to repay his kindness.
Let's put all detainees from Gitmo out the gate onto Cuban soil. First we should photograph them and flngerprint them. Then we should tell them if they ever attempt to enter the U.S. they will be arrested and placed in a federal prison.

Jerry Proctor
Colorado Springs

THEY ALSO PAY
Military communities burdened when troops are killed, wounded

In supporting my daughter, son-in-law, other family and friends in the armed forces, I read the book "Down Range: To Iraq and Back." I thought one passage was suitable concerning our community. The author wrote: "Briefly, I would like to turn your attention to the sacriflces of the community that we live in. It, too, pays the price of liberty and freedom. The community can be a very powerful part of healing. The community is wounded when one of its members is missing or disabled. Sending one of our sons or daughters to war takes a toll on the community as it does with the family."
There is no true glory to war. But, the people and businesses of Colorado Springs and it's surrounding communities have been involved and supported our troops in many ways. They are all our sons and daughters.

Steven Geiger
Canon City