January 13, 2021
Dear editor;
If Frank Patterson’s letter in the January 7 issue of The Voice, “Comment on greetings at Christmas” goes unanswered, then (commentator) Rush Limbaugh’s observation is accurate: “The general population doesn’t know what is happening and it doesn’t even know it doesn’t know.”
Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, criticized Western countries for abandoning Christian roots.
Such a statement from prominent leaders should be taken seriously. If not, our country is on a continuing route to chaos. Mr. Patterson’s opinion shows disrespect for our religious traditions.
My immediate thought was why stop with Christmas? Everything, then, should be fair game. Let’s start with Shakespeare. He’s dead, so he can’t sue us and he has written enough material which an eager writer of letters to the editor could supply The Voice daily with his clever alterations.
Mr. Patterson, my religion is a hands-off subject for jokes and loose tongues. Those who disrespect it should not be tolerated. Millions have been martyrs defending it, not “Happy Holidays”. I wonder what other holy days you have on your list? As to “learning to respect our differences”, your phrase, it is an empty suggestion. I have no respect for abortionists taking the lives of unborn boys and girls. Do you?
Joan Solms, Aurora
YOUR religion deserves respect? Yes it does! But yours is NOT the ONLY religion that deserves respect. All people have the right to respect. Are you respecting a Muslim or Hindu when you tell them, “Merry Christmas”? Mr. Patterson’s “Happy Holidays” takes into account, and respects, all persons who celebrate a winter holiday. You seem to have a deep hatred for anybody who does not think as you do. What ever happened to the Universal Love that Christ taught? Is it man’s job to judge, or is that not the domain of the Creator? A final question, if I may; How did the conversation go from seasonal greetings to abortion?