To the editor: Dr. Shelton Smith, editor of “The Sword of the Lord” newspaper, recently wrote on several “remembers (i.e. remember when you could leave your home unlocked; when everyone knew what the Fourth of July was all about; boys were boys and girls were girls; two things were certain, death and taxes; people were too proud to accept charity; most of the music had a tune with it; convicted criminals went to jail; if you had a good job, it was a blessing from God; when a man went wrong, it wasn’t the parents’ fault; nearly everyone knew right from wrong). I remember these, and even more. I remember my first 12 years of schooling when each day started with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, daily Bible reading, and prayer. The Ten Commandments were posted in each classroom. Even when it might not be true, the teacher was always right and we never forgot the results of having to take a note home to be signed if it told of misbehavior on our part.
In May 1947, I graduated with 38 other gay people and happy to be taking on the next steps in life. Little did I know then what the word “gay” would come to mean in my lifetime. Life could be difficult but we felt up to the challenge. Life seems more tranquil and it was.
What changed? Maybe the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 cheapened life in such a way that there is no respect now for the “being” created in God’s image. With over 63 million babies murdered since that decision, certainly that’s something to consider. When we violated God’s plan for the family, it being a man and a woman shall be as one, that part of society changed dramatically. These changes, along with many others that give certain minorities rights and privileges far above the average citizen, have created anger and hostility that is far reaching in our nation today.
I believe our nation is divided today more than it has ever been, and removing God from our schools and other institutions didn’t help. Maybe the answer is with God and His promise, “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (1 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV).
Dwight Bunn
Clarkesville