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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2002)
Page 16 The INDEPENDENT,July 18, 2002 Letters to the Editor From page 3 vine Providence,” pledged to each other their lives, their for tunes and their sacred honor. This is part of our heritage, the recognition that our rights come from our “Creator” not from the government or from the military or from politicians. Our inheritance is that we can appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the World” and He will listen. The legacy that our founding fathers provided us with is the “reliance on the protection of Divine Providence”. Our birthright is a country based on the free exercise of religion. Thomas Jefferson de clared that “No men shall...suf fer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion.” George Washington wrote “Every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being ac countable along to God for his religious opinions, out to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.” Our bequest is Godly men and women who recognized and verbalized our need to seek God. Benjamin Franklin spoke to this issue when he ad dressed the Constitutional Con vention on June 28, 1787. “In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were from being rivals or enemies, sensible of danger, we had dai religion and law are twin sis ly prayer in this room for Divine ters, friends and mutual assis protection. Our prayers, Sir, tants. Indeed, these two sci were heard, and they were gra ences run into each other. The ciously answered... have we divine law, as discovered by now forgotten that powerful reason and the moral sense, Friend? Or do we imagine we forms an essential part of both.” no longer need His assistance? John Adams was resolute in his I have lived, Sir, a long time, belief that “It is religion and and the longer I live, the more morality alone which can estab convincing proofs I see of this lish the principles upon which truth - that God governs in the freedom can securely stand. affairs of men. And if a sparrow The only foundation of a free cannot fall to the ground with constitution is pure virtue.” Rev. out His notice, is it probable John Witherspoon, a signer of that an empire can rise without the Declaration of Indepen His aid? ... I therefore beg to dence, stated, “It is in the man move - that henceforth prayers of piety and inward principle, imploring the assistance of that we may expect to find the Heaven, and its blessing on our uncorrupted patriot, the useful deliberations, be held in this citizen, and the invincible sol Assembly every morning be dier. God grant that in America fore we proceed to business..." true religion and civil liberty It was never the intent of our founding fathers to separate POLICY ON our public life from our private life. They saw that faith in God LETTERS was good for the governed and for government. George Wash The INDEPENDENT wel- ington commented, “While just comes readers’ letters and government protects all in their will publish as many as pos religious rights, true religion af sible. All letters must be fords to government its surest signed, including those sent support”. John Adams stated, by fax, and include a verifi “our Constitution was made able address and telephone only for a moral and religious number, which will not be people. It is wholly inadequate printed except at the writer’s to the government of any oth request. Unsigned letters will er.” James Wilson, a signer of not be published. the Constitution observed, “Far may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue, tend to the support and establish ment of both.” Let us not disregard these legacies. What is important is, Who gave us liberty and what are we to do with it? Bear in mind Thomas Jefferson’s state ment, “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the lib erties of a national be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a convic tion in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? In deed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep for ever.” Respectfully submitted, Michael Benedict Vernonia MYTH: Catholics have no Biblical basis for what they believe about salvation, the sacraments, the Mass, Mary, the papacy, purgatory, prayers to the saints, etc. etc. FACT: Get ready for the surprise of your life. Come for a FREE talk (followed by Q & A session to take aH your questions) by Gerry Matatics Internationally known Catholic speaker (Lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Notre Dame, Boston College, etc.) Former university & seminary professor of Sacred Scripture, theology & apologetics Former ordained Protestant minister, Presbyterian Church in America M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Seminary; ABD for Ph D., Westminster Theological Seminary Founder & President, Biblical Foundations International How the Bible Converted Me to Catholicism: One Protestant Minister’s Pilgrimage Thursday August 1, 2002 Rose Valley will be hosting FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT Presented by Jim Emery, Scappoose A llstate Agency Thursday, July 25th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Advances in the study of medicine, nutrition and technology have enriched the quality of our lives. People are healthier and live longer than ever before. However, with average life expectancy increasing, the need for assisted living or nursing home care has become 7 pm Talk is FREE and open to the public: Catholics and non-Catholics alike warmly welcome Followed by Q & A session: Bring your Bibles, your questions, your pastors, and your friends! Scout Cabin Hawkins Park, 901 Park Drive, Vernonia OR From out of town: from Hwy 26 go north on Hwy 47 for 15 miles, turn right at blinking yellow light (near City Hall) onto Bridge St, then take 4th left onto Park Dr just before you would cross bridge. Scout Cabin is log building 1 block down on left. a reality for many. Long-term care expenses are generally not covered or paid for by Medicare or the major medical health insurance providers. Come and get the facts and some solutions to this growing problem. Refreshments w ill be served. While you're here take some time to tour our community. We'd lore to show you around! Gerry is also debating Rob Zins, (ex-Catholic) Protestant minister & author of two books critiquing Catholicism, on the topic: “Does Scripture teach the Perpetual Virginity of Mary?” Saturday, August 3, 2002 at 7 pm Holiday Inn Portland Airport 8439 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland OR • (503) 256-5000 Exit 23B off 1-205, stay in right hand lane, go west on Columbia Blvd for 3 blocks, Holiday Inn is on right Debate is open to the public: Catholics & non-Catholics welcome ($5 donation for admission is requested to pay for the use of hotel; in addition, two separate free-will offerings, one for each debater, will be taken up to help defray his travel expenses) For more details, please visit Gerry’s website at www.gerrymatatics.org, e-mail us at gmatatics@aol.com, or call us at (570) 969-1724
