I can’t help but notice that the Viewpoint section of the East Tennessean has become decidedly anti-Christian in the last month. There have been a number of articles that either directly insulted or openly mocked Christian beliefs.
The articles I am referring to are: “Just bad luck or smite from God?” by Robert Prowse (March 30); “Religious extremism not limited to Middle East” by Guy Kramer (April 3); “Livin’ Leviticus Loco” by Kramer (April 6); “Easter originally Pagan Holiday” by Robert Prowse (April 13); “Here comes Peter Cottontail: Bunny reflects church’s hypocrisy” by Larry French (April 13).
The East Tennessean is displaying an open religious prejudice here.
For example Kramer said, “Christian fundamentalist intolerance isn’t limited to the eviction of a few small town teachers. One need only observe the nationally orchestrated attempt to replace evolution with intelligent design in the science classroom.” (April 3)
I’ve got news for Kramer. Parents have every right to object to the content in classrooms, and he doesn’t mention examples of atheists being upset because independent Christian clubs that students choose to join or not join on campuses, or because their kids have to hear the words “Under God” being said during the pledge of allegiance. No, he mentions mandatory activities that contradicted the majority of student’s religious beliefs. As for intelligent design, it is a scientific reality that there is more evidence for intelligent design than there is for evolution.
In another article French wrote “Why does one need to be a Christian and believe in Easter just to stand somewhere and get paid to wave? And with benefits, too.” (April 13). Guess what. Churches have every right to hire along religious lines, because federal laws regarding prejudice do not apply to religious organizations.
The writers at the East Tennessean need to remember they are living in a Christian community and in a nation where the vast majority of people claim to hold Christian beliefs.
This is an abuse of the right to the press which was not intended to protect the media’s “right” to print whatever they want, but the right of the people to have access to accurate information.
The Viewpoint page should not be used to bash politically incorrect groups, but to express opinions backed up by logical arguments.
Julie Dickey

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