Friday, April 6, 2007
Mocking sculpture of Jesus is outrage to Christians
EDITOR:
In reference to last Friday's story, "Artist's chocolate sculpture of Jesus angers Catholics," as a Christian, I was outraged that someone would mock my Lord.
Artist Cosimo Cavallaro made an anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus and dubbed it "My Sweet Lord." He was right about one thing, the fact that Jesus is sweet. But He didn't give His life for us -- yes, you and me -- just to be made fun of.
The fact that the art gallery said "the Holy Week timing was a coincidence" makes no difference to any Christian. It is wrong and humiliating.
Jesus also taught us to forgive, so I hope and pray the hundreds of angry people who called or e-mailed to express their outrage to the gallery will find it in their hearts to forgive, as do I.
Happy Easter.
JEANIE FARMER
Columbiana
When kids know nothing about religion, you get this
EDITOR:
My wife and I attended Palm Sunday services at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown (5 p.m. Saturday Mass). It is tradition, weather permitting, with beautiful music coming out the bag pipes being played as we march, that we take our blessed palms and walk out of church march around and down Norquest Boulevard, then back into church.
As we were walking down Norquest, a red SUV with about 5 males in their teens to about their 20s passed and they started yelling and giving their finger at us. I felt a immediate sense of anger, but then a sense of forgiveness. I guess it was appropriate to feel like this because Easter is about forgiveness.
I quickly prayed for them because they know no better. I blame 1) their parents for not bringing them up in whatever religion they practice and 2) our government for allowing certain groups to take religion out of our schools and anywhere else they feel appropriate.
I think our world is in great turmoil and I am ready to go to the other side. To the young men, I say happy Easter and our prayers will be with you.
ANDY PAPPAGALLO Sr.
Mineral Ridge
Veterans have earned better treatment than they get
EDITOR:
I am writing concerning the president's speech and his decisions. He tells us that he knew nothing about the conditions at the Building 18 at Walter Reed Hospital. Maybe he did not, but someone did. It is that persons' responsibility to keep our president informed, as well as to know what is going on in our hospitals for the veterans. This did not happen in six months or a year.
Our troops are fighting for our country and for each one of us here in this country.
They are there to preserve our safety and freedom, and they deserve to have the very best treatment and surroundings when they return. These kids that are over there fighting and giving their lives and parts of their bodies will need physical care and mental care.
I am a World War II veteran and I know that for many years nightmares of those memories haunt you and you wake up screaming in the middle of the night. I can tell you about coming home, to find that we cannot support our families, our jobs have been given away and we just do not belong anywhere. You feel like a displaced person.
It is time for the veterans to take America back.
I fought at D-Day.
JAMES W. HILL
Youngstown