Liberty and justice

I want to say welcome to Ms. Kaelyn Pfenning, your new reporter and columnist.  I look forward to her reporting and to her weekly column.  But I take issue with her column of July 6, “Liberty and justice for all.”

She says that Christian principles are waning across the country, “...yet pockets of communities continue to operate from a biblical worldview.” 

Maybe I’m just an old naive guy, but I believe that is far from the truth.  What makes our country great, and continues to promote liberty and justice for all is that the majority of our citizens in the United States of America are trying to give back to their communities, are working to honor those who work hard, and are tyring to treat people with respect.  I think that most people are making the effort, regardless of their religious beliefs.

When she says “pockets of communities”, I cringe.  What comes to mind is ISIS or Al-Qaeda.  Their warped and extreme worldview about their religion has turned to evil and enslaved their citizens who happen to live in their pockets of influence in the Middle East.

We may not agree with our neighbor’s religious beliefs, or lack of religious beliefs, but we need tolerate them and thank them for helping make our community better, where ever they live and where ever they are in their spiritual journey.  I love my American liberty, but I know that there will be justice if I step over the line and take my “liberty” too far.  I believe that most Americans, of all religions, also love their American liberty, not just Chrisitians.  And I believe they also want a just and free America, and are willing to be tolerant of other religions to help keep America a place where we truly have liberty and justice for all.

Jeff Jackson
Taylors