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Organized religion veering off course?

Dear Editor:

Daniel Ridinger’s April 15 commentary, referring to race relations, omitted the word “autonomous” from Webster’s definition of pluralism, as well as the phrase “within the confines of common civilization.”

A possible interpretation of Mr. Ridinger’s mutilation of Webster is that Jews should not talk about the Holocaust (unpatriotic) and we don’t assert that “Black Lives Matter” (treason). The whole point of autonomy is that people can be conscious of being different, yet be loyal to the larger structure.

Mr. Ridinger might not be racist, but preachers have become more political and more whites-only in the last decade, taking a tenth of an inch at a time. We have other things to worry about besides pluralism.

Worse, I have seen religious publications (not of Mr. Ridinger’s denomination) arguing that the purpose of Christianity is to inflame panic because other racial and religious groups are having too many babies, an attempt to worship both Darwin and Jesus as if God intended humans to behave like scorpions and spiders. If this is organized religion today, we should just hang it up.

Sincerely,

Ryan Amptmeyer

Elkmont

Saving a life

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday evening (April 12), my wife and I were in one of Athens’ local restaurants eating dinner. Also there were Lt. Charlie Clem and Sgt. Patrick Minor of the Athens Police Department.

As we had finished eating and were leaving, we walked by a table where an elderly couple were eating. About the time I got past the couple’s table, I heard the lady start yelling, “Heimlich! Heimlich!”

When I looked back, the person at the table with her was bent over the table and gasping. Immediately, I saw Lt. Clem grab the person and start the Heimlich maneuver. Sgt. Minor was also assisting.

After about three or four compressions from Lt. Clem, I noticed the person cough up whatever he was choking on. After it was all over, I heard the lady say the man had several health issues.

Had it not been for the quick response of these two officers, this person may have — in all probability — lost his life. This is the evidence of the Athens Police Department and the officers who protect and serve this great city.

The city of Athens has a police department that is second to none and has police officers who truly do protect and serve the citizens of Athens with dignity.

Sincerely,

Jerold Blaxton

Retired Athens police officer