• God is within us • The meaning of Christmas • Obama throws seniors under the bus God is within us I responded to a letter last month from a letter writer that stated we should let “God” decide
• God is within us • The meaning of Christmas • Obama throws seniors under the bus
God is within us
I responded to a letter last month from a letter writer that stated we should let “God” decide what should be done about our planet’s overpopulation situation. I personally believe that overpopulation is by far the largest threat to humanity as well as all other life on planet Earth.
This person’s belief of what “God” is or was, was very different from my own belief and I felt that it was important to provide my own different perspective in response to what was stated. This person believed that some magical sky being god was in charge of what happens on Earth and that all of us pathetic, sinful, humans have no control of our own fate and/or destiny. I personally believe that that particular belief system IS NONSENSE. I stated that I believed that “God” is something that is inherent in all of us collectively and that we have a personal responsibility to act in ways that exemplify that responsibility rather than expecting improvement or blaming some imaginary higher power for our collective situation.
I was ridiculed by one Steven Souza from Koloa, I think, I honestly didn’t understand much of his rambling rant. Other than the part where he falsely accused me of stating that I believed I was superior to everyone else for sharing my personal beliefs. I’m sure that his statement is simply a reaction of me publicly saying something that conflicted with his own beliefs and his own self-limited way of coping was to attack me personally.
Jason S Nichols, Koloa
The meaning of Christmas
During this time of the winter solstice, it’s interesting to note the similarities between the ancient sun god religions, and our religions of today.
Look up at the sky a few hours after sunset. Follow the three stars of Orion’s Belt (also known as the Three Kings) to the brightest star in the east (Sirius), then down to the horizon. This is where the sun is rising during the solstice.
The sun has been moving southward for six months, but now its journey comes to an end, and, for three days, the sun does not appear to move at all on the eastern horizon. Also at this time, the sun resides in the vicinity of the Southern Cross.
Thus, the story was told, “The sun died on the Cross, was dead for three days, and then resurrected as it begins its journey north.” However, this resurrection was not “officially celebrated” until the days became longer than the nights (end of March, our Easter).
The virgin mother is the constellation of Virgo (Latin for “virgin”), and the 12 disciples are the 12 constellations of the zodiac which moves around with God’s sun.
Now, despite these elaborate fables and mythology, here’s what’s really important about this time of year: The true meaning of Christmas is found in the moral teachings of Jesus, not in the myths and superstitions of the Bible.
Steve Chenoweth, Princeville
Obama throws seniors under the bus
Obama threw the Social Security cost of living adjustments (chained CPI) into budget negotiations this week. Don’t tell me history is repeating itself! Obama promised he wouldn’t put SS benefits on the table throughout his 2012 campaign. His promise resulted in a victory and a mandate from the electorate. Considering the strength of his bargaining position post re-election, I’m very upset he’d break his promises (again).
Obama and leaders of his re-election team repeatedly justified their position by stating SS benefits don’t contribute a single penny to the country’s deficit. I don’t personally know if that’s true, but if Obama and his progressive leadership truly believe it, they’re ignoring their own math and acting stupid, stupid, stupid!
Obama is negotiating like John Boehner is coming from a position of equal strength. He’ll blow his legacy (if he has one) and make a ton of enemies if he fails to keep his promises and plays Mr. Nice Guy again.
C’mon Obama. The support you received this past November loaned you a pair. If you misplaced them, please step aside and let your caucus do the negotiating.
Vince Cosner, Lihu‘e
