Letters to the editor

Feb. 4

Truth is questionable

In response to Gene Johnson’s Jan. 21 letter to the editor: I wonder if Gene would be one of those to say, “Maybe I could be wrong about this.”

Yes, Gene, the “truth” does become more evident with time and evidence.

Marilyn Humphrey, Polson

Words to

live by

I was watching the PBS special on National Parks, right after the State of the Union speech on Jan. 27, and the story of John Muir, an American naturalist and explorer. A comment captured my attention. It was approximately this: “John Muir was a very religious man, capturing the spiritual essence of nature and man’s relationship to nature.” 

My antenna went up on the use of the words “religious” and “spiritual.”

 Recognizing that this may offend the sensitivities of some, possibly many, who see no real difference in these terms, allow me to put a rather vivid contrast of interpretations on them.

Firstly: My Funk and Wagnalls does not use the word God, even once, in its rather lengthy definition of “religious.” In the definition of “spirituality,” however, the word God is used.

 Secondly: “Religious” has the immediate connection with “religions,” the immediate connection with “denominations,” the immediate connections with “dogma and creed”, the immediate connections with “differences in sacred texts,” the immediate connections with “opposing views and differences in church service structures,” etc. 

Thirdly: “Spirituality,” on the other hand, has none of these divisive characteristics. Spirituality is all about our connection with a higher loving power, whether we call it God or by some other name.

 What does this tell us? Why even bring this up? Well, I think it is a very important distinction to think about.

 John Muir, in my opinion, was much more than a religious man, John Muir was a spiritual man. And this says a whole lot! He was out there in nature, above all the divisiveness of religious bickering and posturing and just being his spiritual self, communing with nature, feeling close to the same higher power which originally birthed all religions, until man got in there and decided one religion was better than another and started the whole string of religious wars and divisiveness. 

And, I guess, a question for each of us is:  “Who am I, and what do I live by?” 

Bob McClellan, Polson

Reap what you sow

In the past few months, the American public has been deeply disappointed by the people who have been celebrated in one way or another as “icons,” or at least as respectable citizens. One of those so-called respectable people campaigned for our nation’s highest political office, and even during the public debates of the candidates, he alleged that he would bring “honesty” to the American people; that he cherished the relationship he had with his family; at that time he was honored as “Father of the Year.”

Many of us followed America’s top golfer, the highest paid athlete in the world as he walked the fairways and with clenched fist and raised arm celebrated another victory on the 18th green.

Remember the ball player who testified before a Senate committee just a few years ago that he had never knowingly taken a substance that would enhance his playing performance? Just recently he confessed he had lied.

What about the governor who declared that he was going on a backpacking trip for a few days? He really had something entirely different on his mind, deceiving both his family and his constituents.

The media has told at length the exploits of a few TV preachers who, while calling people to follow Jesus, were not practicing what they were preaching.

Think about the greedy people who have stolen the investment funds of their clients, particularly the life savings of elderly widows.

America is experiencing an epidemic not only of obesity, but of stealing, lying and adultery.

What’s my point? First, sin will be exposed: Numbers 32:23: “But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

Secondly, we reap what we sow: Job 4:8: “My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.” And, Galatians 6:7: “Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

Thirdly, Jesus offers everyone a better way: Luke 5:32: “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

I heard Jesus calling me to a life of a repentant and forgiven sinner when I was a Polson High School student many years ago; “Thank you, Jesus.” A forgiven sinner.

Harvey A. Town, Polson