Dear Editor,

It is very difficult to know how best to respond to the Aryan Bash in Pineville. A large anti-KKK rally would provide just the kind of attention they crave and even feed off of. I know most good citizens of Pineville are horrified by these events as we are in Barbourville. Perhaps, as was suggested, it is best to simply stay home and pray. But sometimes it helps to do more. I am writing to simply state the obvious, or rather, what should be obvious to us all.

These hate groups who often call themselves Christian (and they often do) use the harsher texts of the Bible - we all have read them - to teach their hate and vile racial superiority. These kinds of interpretations of the Bible are a deep perversion of the spirit of Jesus and cannot represent Christian ethical teaching in any fashion. There is hardly a need to cite texts to make the point because they are simply too numerous; blessed are the meek, the poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, blessed are the peacemakers, and off we go. That is just the beginning of Matthew 5!

Why is it important to say this even though it is obvious? Because we Christians historically have a fairly inconsistent and even embarrassing track record when it comes to race relations. We're too quick to justify our anxieties and fears about other types of people with the violent texts in scripture while ignoring what should be the obvious texts. It should be obvious that Jesus must be and is the final guide for all things ethical for everyone claiming to be his disciple. While sometimes the Bible can be confusing to understand, the NT claim that God is Love should be easy enough and has definite ethical implications. People who believe in the Trinity believe that God is not fundamentally power but a loving relationship! To be like God means to be in loving relationship with others. Yet, often even simple biblical and theological truths are lost on us and we resort to other biblical texts to justify our fears and anger. We must all say, 'There, but for the grace of God, go I.'

So let's state the obvious. These hate groups masquerading as Christians don't qualify. While many, maybe most, who sit in our churches or preach in them don't live up to the high standards of Christian discipleship, these people don't even come close. They aren't in the ball park because they are not playing our game. They are not Jesus' disciples. Period. These are little more than extremists who twist the Bible to support their arrogance, superiority and violence against the 'other' whom Jesus commanded us to love saying simply, “Love thy neighbor.”

Like the publican of the parable, we are best when we respond with his humble prayer, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." That is also obvious.

Respectfully,

Joel Allen, Rev., Ph.D.

Barbourville, Ky.

23-year-old event discontinued because of lack of help

To the Editor:

The Thomas Walker Rescue Auxillary regretfully announces that due to a lack of personnel to do the work involved in sponsoring an event, the Old Fashioned Fun Day, held on the second Sat. of Sept. for the past 23 years, must be discontinued.

We wish to thank everyone who has contributed in any way, over the past years.

We will still be making apple butter as usual throughout the year and in years to come, hopefully.

Thank you,

Members of the Thomas Walker Rescue Squad Auxillary