Church’s silence

To the editor:

The lead article in Sunday’s paper, “Churches silence … bewilders,” prompts a couple of observations:

1) When the liberals want support on a political issue they have no problem with “separation of church and state.” But if it is something they are opposed to, they cry “no place for morals in the political arena.”

2) Do they think Matthew 25:31-46 applies to a political entity, the state of Kansas? Do they believe that forcefully (by taxation) making people support social services and/or charity fulfills the admonition of this Gospel verse? If it does, does it therefore also mean that I, as an individual, am exempted from caring for my neighbor because the state has far exceeded the concept of a biblical tithe by use of my contribution (taxation)? Taxes are not voluntary. We all have an obligation for our neighbor but I believe there is room for honest debate, all within the expectation of this Gospel verse, as to the right way to do it. Government bureaucracy may not be the most efficient or even moral way to care for our neighbor. How much of the budget actually goes to those in need? How much to the administration? Thus, there may be perfectly religious and moral reasons not to be involved with government as the only solution.

Mike Easterday,

Lawrence