Secularization won't kill Christianity

I see where the secular world, in general, and the secular media, in particular, seem fascinated with the latest proceedings of the Presbyterian "Church." You realize, of course, that the only reason the leftist media cares at all is that the Presbyterians have decided that if they can't persuade secular society, then they will join it. Some in the media have become so giddy by the latest news that they have even dared to lecture Christianity about its need to follow the Episcopal and Presbyterian path of "enlightenment."

Perhaps it is time for a reality check. So fasten your seat belts.

Liberalizing a denomination is a reliable signal that the denomination is exhausted, is in its death throes, and is not long for this world. Denominations are entirely man-made and are a product of his hubris. Many believe, as I do, that the death of a denomination is a natural cleansing process that keeps Christianity strong and vibrant, a shedding of dead skin if you will. Viewed on a worldwide basis, strong and vibrant accurately describes the Christian church today.

Many of us could care less if the Presbyterian or Episcopal "Churches" survive, since they have been largely irrelevant for years and have not been able to stop their dwindling membership due to their increasing secularization. Besides, their members who are devout in Christ have long since fled. An argument could even be made that these denominations have done the name of Christianity more harm than good in the past couple of decades.

While Christian conversions in Africa outstrip Islamic conversions four to one, Chinese communist leaders continue to cluelessly persecute a spreading Christianity. Significant Christian inroads are being made into the new Latin middle class, while the American church transitions from corporate stagnation to an in-home, small-group explosion. Weep not for Christianity, weep instead for those who "know better" than Christianity.

Although some will understandably mourn the passing of these denominations, Christianity will barely notice as its juggernaut continues to encircle the earth fueled by solid gospel principles.

Prosperous, over-civilized, highly secularized, Western man has not learned the same lessons that tyrants also have not learned. Namely, that the more one tries to kill Christianity, either by the sword or by "enlightenment," the stronger it gets.

Vance Barnhill

York

U.S. should have taken bin Laden alive

I'd like to make it public that I agree 100 percent with letter writer Rick Gwinn on celebrating Osama bin Laden's death prematurely. I'd like to add to Mr. Gwin's letter.

President Barack Obama, at the beginning of his term in office, openly condemned the use of "waterboarding" to gain information and humiliated globally our CIA and FBI. But he told the world that the USA favored "torture" by using the information as a means for "asassination" to get rid of leaders.

The raid should have been a military objective without involving the presidency. Not taking away any of the credit from our SEALs, but taking "OBL" alive would have been more useful to the USA. Unless the SEALs got orders to kill. Will we never know the truth.

Alfred Boltin

Rock Hill

Dogs just want to have fun

I agree with the woman who wrote about getting more dog parks in Rock Hill. I am disabled and can't walk my dog regularly. I've been to the dog park in Charlotte, but like everyone, gas prices hold me back.

My dog is a 12-year-old Chihuahua, so I appreciate the park in Charlotte, since it has two fenced areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Think about it, Rock Hill. Let's make a dog park for the dogs to have fun!

Sue Pedersen

Rock Hill

Letter carriers come through

Once again, the National Assocation of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive has provided bounteously for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen on Crawford Road. On behalf of the soup kitchen, I want to thank all of the mail carriers and the generous residents along their routes who opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help stamp out hunger.

On May 14, local letter carriers collected over 19,000 pounds of non-perishables. I want to express the appreciation of the guests and volunteers at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen to the U.S. Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers in our area. This is one of the most wonderful windfalls we experience each year!

Beverly Carroll,

Coordinator

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen

Rock Hill