Letters: KC readers discuss church gatherings, a cartoon’s nasty label and Earth Day
Take this chance
The United States has faced hard times in its history. Through each of these periods, the country has survived and hopefully improved. The Civil War failed to break the country in two, and years later, the Great Depression brought this country to its knees but failed to destroy it.
The fragility of our country is again brought to the forefront with the coronavirus pandemic, which has exposed our vulnerabilities as a society. This crisis is an opportunity to lay bare the problems in our country, but it does not give us the tools to fix them. To enact needed changes, we require good leadership and ideas.
I think we also need to consider what we want from our government and how we go about getting it while building a more resilient and fairer society that protects all races and economic groups.
Although I think the pandemic is a great opportunity for great change, it could be easily squandered.
- Kate Riha, Kansas City
There are options
To the Rev. Scott Hanks of Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas: Your justification for keeping your church open to groups larger than 10 is Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together.” (April 20, 4A, “Lawrence, Kansas, church holds services after judge’s order”)
But Hebrews 13:17 states, “Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you. They know they are accountable to God for everything they do.”
There are several ways your church can continue meeting while also obeying our leaders, such as multiple services of 10 or fewer people, phone conferences that don’t require internet service and parking lot services. Please reconsider the safety of your congregants and follow both scriptures simultaneously.
If in doubt, I might ask, “What would Jesus do?” I believe his profound love would lead him to place the protection of his sheep first and foremost.
- Sandra Anderson, Olathe
Ugly labeling
Someone please tell me what is humorous about Lisa Benson’s editorial cartoon Sunday depicting a dragon labeled “China virus.” (April 17, 11A) Racism is not funny, and blaming China is pointless.
The equipment shortages, the dangers to public servants and first responders, and the sufferings of COVID-19 patients and their families are all deadly serious.
Now, if Uncle Sam really acted as if he were “on fire” about the crisis, as in the cartoon, that might be a good thing. Sigh.
- Janice Stallings, Kansas City
Lessons from 1918
My siblings and I were raised by parents who taught us that, as part of the human race, we had a responsibility to help others, regardless of whether it might be difficult or inconvenient. Today, I’m sure my parents would urge us to follow the guidelines put in place to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. They would see the wisdom of listening to scientists and medical professionals.
Having lived through the influenza epidemic of 1918, my parents told us of the inept handling of that crisis in Kansas City, where businesses, schools and churches were closed — then reopened, bowing to politicians and special interests, and closed again. They reminded us that as a result, our hometown had one of the nation’s highest mortality rates for influenza.
Today, they would say: “Don’t let that happen again. Do whatever you can to protect your family, your friends, your community from the spread of COVID-19.”
- Anola Pickett, Kansas City
Climate action
In the midst of our pandemic crisis, let us give ourselves the flexibility to remember our climate crisis. Remember the 2018 United Nations warning that humanity must reduce carbon emissions 45% by 2030? Or the Missouri floods, the California wildfires and the Australian bush fires killing a billion animals in 2019?
The 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week resonates with ever greater significance as we face the twin, human-induced, existential threats of global warming and the sixth mass extinction of species.
During this pandemic “staycation” for many of us, there is time to explore online Earth Day events. Locally, the Climate Council of Greater KC is sponsoring the weeklong Earth Fest 20, and Kansas City’s Bridging the Gap is providing tips on sustainable living.
Nationally, EarthDayLive2020.org features dozens of events and hundreds of speakers during April 22-24. On April 25, Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and evangelical Christian, will be the primary speaker on Uniting From Home: Virtual Earth Day 2020, sponsored by citizensclimatelobby.org.
So, kick your feet up, sit a spell, learn something and be inspired.
- Dave Mitchell, Kansas City