Published: October 30, 2009 01:44 pm      

READERS' FORUM 11-1 | Church should have role in teens' lives

Recently, television station WQED aired a special on teen suicide, “Losing Lambert.” As part of the special, there was a studio panel present: A psychiatrist, an educator, a suicide hot-line director, and a parent who was instrumental in the founding of a support group. Conspicuous by its absence was the church.

I called WQED to ask about this and was directed to David Solomon, who is in charge of booking guests for such discussions. I was told, quite politely, that the idea was to bring people onto the panel who had the most to do with victims of suicide; the church doesn’t.

When will the church decide to place people – kids on the edge – directly in front of her and let them be her focus instead of politics and budgets? The presupposition is that the problem of suicide is purely biological: Take a pill and functionality returns.

The church, on the other hand, says – or ought to say - that “functionality” is not what man was created for. Rather, it is a return to the image of God that is brought about solely through spiritual direction and the sacraments. Medicine is an important and vital stabilizing component of anyone’s road back to recovery. It is, however, only a part of that journey. The soul simply cannot be ignored in these young people; the role of the church and an educated clergy is critical.

Sighing piously is not why our Lord called the church into being.

Rev. Ken Kelly

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Johnstown



Obama’s goal: Bring America down



On Oct. 5, K. Shyrock Hood (“Righting some wrongs in forum letters”) greatly erred in concluding that President Obama referred to grammar instead of his personal feelings when stating, “The Constitution is a set of negative articles.”

The dictionary defines “negative” as expressing denial, refusing consent, a person arguing against a resolution, to neutralize, to counteract.

Obama is guilty of all of the above.

Careful study of Obama’s policies and his support of doctrines clearly show his anti-American, progressive, Marxist views.

Chicago’s hard-line communist Saul Ninsky wrote “Rules for Radicals.” Ninsky’s son confirmed that Obama learned his dad’s doctrinal book to perfection.

Concerning our “republic” representative government, Obama’s policies are truly radical – attacks against private citizens, insurance companies, banks, chambers of commerce, Fox News, talk radio and anyone who dares to oppose the Messiah.

Also, Obama’s FCC czar plans on the destruction of free speech, First Amendment, in the near future.

The Constitution has been savagely breached. Article II, Section 4 states, “... impeachment ... treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors.” Do our gutless representatives have the nerve?

Some Democrat congressmen wanted the Constitution changed to give Obama a lifetime at the presidency. I wonder if Obama will try the Chavez maneuver?” This communist ignored Venezuela’s constitution and set himself up as tyrant supreme.

All liberties continue to be removed from the civilians.

Our politicians have been primped and primed for America’s downfall.

Dennis Mottin

Ebensburg