LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Baltimore Sun

Thomas' theology distorts Good Book

I will refrain from commenting on Cal Thomas' politics. But his biblical interpretation and theology leave something to be desired ("Clinton rewrites the Good Book," Opinion * Commentary, July 11).

Mr. Thomas erroneously claims that one of Sen. Hillary Clinton's ministers from her youth, whose theology focused more on social responsibility than personal salvation, was guilty of something called "works salvation" in theological circles.

He calls this "the notion that one can do enough good deeds to earn God's approval and enter heaven."

However, social responsibility is part and parcel of the entire Bible, from the Torah to the prophets to the Gospels to the letters.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with "earning" salvation and everything to do with taking seriously God's own concern for the world, the poor and the stranger.

And, yes, it even means thinking about the impact of SUVs on God's creation.

Mr. Thomas says he wants to keep faith and works together, as I do, and as I am fairly sure Mrs. Clinton and her minister also would like to do.

But before Mr. Thomas accuses others of "alter[ing] classic Christian theology," he might want to read the words of Jesus, Paul, James, St. Augustine, John Calvin and a few others just a bit more carefully.

Michael J. Gorman

Baltimore

The writer is a dean and professor at St. Mary's Seminary and University.

Free to heed God in different ways

I am a Christian (as are my children and grandchildren). I believe that the community at my local church is very important. And I applaud the Rev. Jim Wallis' effort to make people aware of the basic tenets of Christianity.

As the song says, "they'll know we are Christians by our love." We show that love through works and hope that people will be drawn to the faith that is behind the works.

However, it bothers me that Cal Thomas picked on Sen. Hillary Clinton for saying that she was "less sure of the doctrine that being a Christian is the only way to salvation" ("Clinton rewrites the Good Book," Opinion * Commentary, July 11).

Mr. Thomas prefers a literal interpretation of one biblical passage that says the only way to salvation is through Jesus.

But pushing this type of exclusive belief has caused so much trouble in the world.

Let's give people the freedom to listen for God in different ways and in new ways.

Do we not all want all people to be healthy, happy and be able to get along with each other? Would this not be the realization of the kingdom of God on Earth, however it is accomplished?

I say to anyone, of any religion, who insists that his or her religion is the only true one, the only one endorsed by God: Your God is too small.

Let's give God the freedom to be different things to different people and to change if She or He wishes.

Judy Rhoades

Baltimore

Un-Christian to pass judgment on Clinton

What monumental hubris.

By parsing two verses of Scripture, Cal Thomas believes himself able and qualified to simultaneously trash centuries of progressive Christian tradition and pass very un-Christian judgment on Sen. Hillary Clinton's personal faith ("Clinton rewrites the Good Book," Opinion * Commentary, July 11).

That's amazing.

He goes on to prescribe a sort of fundamentalist-Christian litmus test for candidates.

That's frightening.

Hugh Silcox

Baltimore

Lady Bird earned identity of her own

Lady Bird Johnson deserved better than the headline "LBJ's wife expanded role of first lady" (July 12).

Mrs. Johnson had an identity in her own right and readers would have known who she was without the headline's reference to her husband.

She brought charm and grace to the White House at a time when the country was torn apart by the Vietnam War.

And her legacy of beautification lives on.

Charles F. Ritter

Baltimore

The writer is a professor of history at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Disney's heroines not strong women

The "long gone" Disney heroines Jodi Liss spoke of in her column "Moviemakers' creativity doesn't extend to gender" (Opinion

Commentary, July 10) provided no better message than do today's films, with their lack of female stars.

What does it say about our culture that Disney's princess movies were so "compelling"?

Perhaps the fact that a generation of girls identified themselves with the Disney princesses (who, although they indeed were central characters, never experienced happy endings without the charming prince sweeping them off their feet) speaks to the fact that both women and men have consistently failed to consider strong, independent female characters to be plausible.

Pop culture continues to both reflect and shape the way both boys and girls view women.

If we can't show children right from the start that strong women are as plausible as strong men, it's no wonder some of them grow up to make films - and lead lives - that don't consider the possibility.

Rachel Stark

Bel Air

Kiosks add to junk in our public space

How fortunate Baltimore is to have not one but several monstrosities now.

In addition to the infamous "Male/Female" sculpture which ruins our beautiful Penn Station, we now also have cheap kiosks with their junky merchandise to ruin our world-renowned Harborplace ("There's lots of Inner, but not much Harbor left," July 10).

What are we allowing to happen to our beloved city? And why?

Judith E. Chernak

Pikesville

Patience now past for failed Iraq policy

President Bush has appealed for patience to allow his Iraq policy to work ("Bush urges lawmakers to be patient on Iraq war," July 11).

But the patience of Congress and the American people with Mr. Bush's Iraq policy has now lasted more than four years, cost us about a half-trillion dollars, killed more than 3,500 American soldiers and maimed tens of thousands more and, according to the consensus judgment of the nation's intelligence services, has helped lead to al-Qaida getting stronger again ("Report reassesses threat by al-Qaida," July 13).

Can there be a more damning indictment of President Bush's foreign policy?

Isn't four years more than enough time for the country to be patient with failed, counter-productive policy?

Michael Johnson

Baltimore

Abandon our junk to haul troops home

I read with great fascination about the list of U.S. assets currently in Iraq and the difficulties entailed in removing them ("The long, hard haul from Iraq," July 15).

I would suggest that we leave the candy bars, sodas and CDs behind and start removing our troops now.

Marc Raim

Baltimore

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