Regarding Monday’s article about the late Indian activist Billy Frank Jr. and his use of the greeting “Jesus Christ!”: Many people don’t seem to think about what they’re saying or who they’re referring to. I don’t know if Billy Frank believed in Christ — but if you believe in God and Christ, they should be referred to reverently, not carelessly or flippantly. If you don’t believe in them, why invoke their names at all? It’s incongruous. Another example: the ubiquitous phrase “OMG.” Most people probably think it’s a harmless exclamation — if they think about it at all. We have freedom of speech — at least so far — but this is an appeal for more thoughtful/reverent expression regarding Christian deities. You can bet if anyone publicly used the name of the Muslim prophet carelessly there would be outrage and probable death threats.
Regarding the pope’s idea to re-distribute the world’s wealth: Perhaps he and the cardinals should lead the way by selling the vast riches of the Vatican, acquired in no small part by the selling of indulgences to frightened and ignorant parishioners who were told their salvation was threatened if they didn’t buy them to purchase forgiveness of their sins. For more info on this, Google “Martin Luther.” Catholic charities/community services do wonderful work, and there are many good people of the Catholic faith, but the hierarchy in the Vatican should look in the mirror before making moral pronouncements on what others should do with wealth.
Fred Hutchins
Lynnwood
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