Letters for July 19, 2012

Are you there Jake? It’s me.

Re “Are you there God? It’s me, Jake.” (Feature story, June 28):

Here it comes, the good news and the bad news for atheists and agnostics. The good news: God does exist, and He loves you. He has proven His love by coming here as one of us and suffering the most incredible torture known to mankind to pay a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay.

Why do I believe this? It’s not just blind faith, but common sense and proof that God does exist. Please consider these things: What holds the stars in their place? What takes the salty water from the oceans, purifies it, and drops it where we can drink it? What about the four seasons, the balance of nature, and the intricate ways our bodies work? Do you think that this was all an accident? If so, your faith is much greater than mine. That’s like throwing a bomb into a junkyard and producing a 747!

How do I know that the Bible is true? History and prophecy. Hundreds of years before His birth, it was written when, where, and the lineage of the birth of Jesus. Crucifixion was described hundreds of years before it existed. Who knew? God knew. Prophecy has come true so far, and still does.

What if you’re right and I’m wrong? What have I lost? Nothing. What if I’m right and you’re wrong? What have you lost? Everything, forever. God loves you so much that He will give you what you desire. If your desire is to know Him and love Him, He will honor that with eternal life in paradise. If you reject Him, He will honor that also, but with a broken heart. God is gracious and won’t force Himself on you. No matter how unfair you think the God you don’t believe in is, He still gives you a free will to choose. Now you know. And here’s the bad news: Now you know.

Bo Rapp
Reno

Nobody really does

Re “Misused forum” (Editorial, July 12):

It’s not often that I agree with the political commentary of your newspaper, but this time you hit the nail on the head. There is no question that the mayor violated his public duty as the mayor of Reno and perhaps his oath as well. What seems difficult to understand is that the mayor was not cognizant of this public relations blunder. A mayor as well as any other politician on city, state and national levels should always be willing to face the music of his constituency especially on those few occasions that are required by law or tradition. Mayor Cashell, you owe the citizens of Reno an apology for failing to perform this duty.

Fred Speckmann
Reno

It’s like rain on your wedding day

Re “Are you there God? It’s me, Jake.” (Feature story, June 28):

A captivating read, Jake. From the first word to the very last, you had my mind a willing prisoner. I applaud your passion, it really comes through in the writing, and we all know how arguments really shine when there is an ax to grind. I especially enjoyed the part where you began to laundry-list the evils done in the name of religion, or the atrocities committed by the religious. No self-respecting atheist would stoop to that kind of inhumanity. By the way, Josef Stalin was a great man. I, too, think it is silly how these people read their “holy books” only to confirm their sorry beliefs.

It always excites me to see Science pitted against Religion—the two of them being utterly incompatible. Now that would be the pay-per-view event of the ages. I can see it now, Sir Isaac Newton in the Science corner against Sir Isaac Newton in the Religion corner! Perfect match-up. I understand how we have to admit that there were some great minds throughout history who did happen to be religious men and women. But I am glad we can attribute that glowering hole in your argument to their own failure in reasoning. They were great minds, but ours are even greater. It is a great thing, Science. The answers to all the mysteries of the universe at our fingertips! And that’s how we know God is not real, right? Because Science. As a hardcore believer in everything you had to say in your article, I have faith that we will show these pre-literate extremists what it is to present an argument based on reason and fact. It is obvious, if there was a God, anyone, anyone, could discern the truth of His existence, and His presence in their lives. But because He doesn’t, it is up to you and me and the internet (which I can’t see and don’t necessarily understand, but accept its presence because of its huge impact on my daily life) to spread the good news. And the good news? Oh, we don’t matter. We are made of matter, but ultimately we don’t matter. We’re all just a happy accident in a vast universe that cares not a whit what we do.

Alexander Karcher
Reno

Jake’s folly

Re “Are you there God? It’s me, Jake.” (Feature story, June 28):

Jake, I have thought heavily about your article. There is an underlying anger towards anybody religious. It is safe to assume that your views come from the way you were raised and people from your past. It is sad that you are using this to maliciously attack religious people. Making a general statement that “Christians” are all uneducated and foolish for their personal belief is foolish in itself. Why can’t you allow people to live the way that they choose? Is this article an attempt to create your own following of people? People who slander and attack anyone religious. To beat down a person for who they are and what they believe is exactly what is wrong with our society and our entire world.

You are that angry man who divides people. You are turning people against people. Obviously, a religious choice has nothing to do with education. Obviously, just because you are atheist or just because you are Christian doesn’t make you good or evil. I hope that you rethink your argument and see the harm that your words cause. In addition, I have a feeling that you have a large number of people praying for you!

Jessica Estes
Reno

Food for thought

Re “Family values” (Arts & Culture, July 5):

The author moans about the choices offered for kids’ meals and then asks, “Why not offer half orders of regular menu items?” Many restaurants do offer half orders, but they charge 70 percent of the price. If you are looking to save money and give your child a wider variety of food experiences, it might be better to just order a meal for yourself and ask for an extra plate.

Karen Marie
Sparks

Don’t stop believin’

Re “Are you there God? It’s me, Jake.” (Feature story, June 28):

Since I don’t know everything there is to know about the universe, I believe the Earth will turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight. I also believe there are magical wombats living under my bed. I believe psychics know the future and that all so-called scams are legit. I’ll leave the door open for talking pigs and toads that drive fancy cars. The more ludicrous, the more I’ll believe in it. Including God, whom I think was created by the burps of a herd of gassy unicorns.

Larry Taylor
Reno