To the editor:
I must admit I have generally stopped reading David Carlson’s opinion pieces in the Daily Journal because no matter what the topic, it always devolves into a diatribe on President Trump. To be sure, Mr. Trump needs to monitor his language better, though I believe his recent comments were referring to the fact that the reasons those countries are in such poor conditions is because their leaders take the billions in foreign aid we send for the poor and use it for their own corrupt purposes. But Mr. Trump’s language is a totally different issue.
Carlson’s implication that, because evangelicals (and other Christians) supported Mr. Trump, they are not following the teaching of the beatitudes, and cannot be compassionate towards the poor is a little over the top. It is a fact that American churches (and Americans in general) are the most compassionate and generous people in the world. They build and staff hospitals and schools, provide housing and feed and clothe the poor in countries all over the world.
Ninety-five percent of the money Christians donate through their churches goes directly to the poor instead of to government leaders or to administrative costs. It seems logical that they would support any U.S. government leaders who take the necessary measures to see that foreign aid money gets to the poor rather than the politicians. This hardly makes Christians, evangelical or otherwise, “a people without compassion.”
Carlson says, “Jesus never promises He will be present in all churches who use his name.” How about when He says, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20)? Churches are not buildings. Churches are groups of people united by a common belief. And all people are sinners. Jesus identified and dwelt among sinners and still does. In other words, sinful people are trying to do the best they can to love and serve others. How about giving a little credit where credit is due and toning down the constant criticism.
Remember Jesus also said,”… first cast out the beam in your own eye then you will see clearly to cast out the speck in your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3)
Kathryn Janis
Franklin
