Candidates must heed religious principles

Letters to the Editor

City Commissioner Robert Sandoval said the church should leave it up to him to make an informed choice in voting for political candidates. (“Catholics split on whether Kerry must follow church teachings,” June 25 CNJ) Sandoval said God gave him a conscience to tell him right from wrong.

If he would read the Bible, he would know that abortion is not a matter of conscience, but a mandate from God’s word. Trusting your conscience to lead you in the right direction can be very deceiving because you can sear your conscience to conform to what you want to believe.

Sandoval says he doesn’t believe in the bishop telling him how to vote or in his right to deny his Communion on that basis.

Matthew 28:19 says, “...Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all things I have commanded you.”

A Christian is obligated to not vote for anybody who advocates abortion, like it or not.

As for Communion, 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 says, “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick. ...” That is the penalty for anyone partaking of Communion unworthily.

In the same story, Ron Kos said the church should not exercise direct control over its members in public office.

I say to him: A Christian in a position of public office must embrace a different set of values from those of non-Christians. These values should be in line with God’s principles. The church has authority over the morals of its members like parents have over their children, and an obligation to govern.

Abortion is murder. It is a lie from the pit of hell to say it is not. God has breathed a soul into that child who is a human being from the moment of conception. Anyone who advocates abortion is just as guilty as the person who commits it.

God’s word is God’s word and it never changes. We can depend on it to tell us right from wrong.

Mary E. Marin

Clovis

Sign stealing:

Kids will be kids

As I read your article on sign thieves via the Internet I was transported back to Clovis in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Cruising and sign stealing were some favorite pastimes until life and marriage took me away from Clovis.

I am sure Mom and Dad wondered how I got a stop sign and a Purdue (go Boilers) sign for my room.

Thanks for the trip back in time, even if it was only in my mind.

My adopted home has had for years a tough time keeping the street sign in the high school colors intact. I guess it goes to show kids will be kids.

Vicci (Pitts) Lucas

Wabash, Ind.

Show pride and put garbage in trash cans

Upon driving by Greene Acres Park the day after the spectacular Fourth of July celebration, I couldn’t help but notice the plethora of trash left behind by our community.

I also couldn’t help but notice the numerous trash cans in the park.

I just do not understand. The city puts on a terrific Fourth of July for the community, for free, and the community says, “thanks” by throwing trash all over the park.

Are you people that incredibly lazy? You need to show some pride in our city, in yourselves.

Put your trash in the trash cans.

Jennifer Diane Brandon

Clovis

Clovis lucky to have fireworks organizer

I would like to bring to the community’s attention the tireless and selfless dedication that Tom Martin and his wife Gail demonstrate each year in bringing the July Fourth “Smoke on the Water” fireworks to Clovis.

I can speak first hand as I helped Tom this year collect the donations needed to pay for the fireworks. It’s a lot of work and I can’t believe Tom was doing the task single-handedly for the last nine years.

What most people don’t realize is that Tom puts his name on the fireworks contract and is obligated to pay for the show. He does so in good faith that the community will come through and contribute.

But there’s way more than just the financial obligation. Tom also arranges all the logistics of putting on the event, from getting certain street lights turned off to enhance the public’s viewing of the show, to paying for portable lavatories. And the list goes on.

I think most people would agree the “Smoke on the Water” event brings much pleasure to the community each year.

Fireworks are such an integral part of the July Fourth celebration of freedom and what the United States stands for.

Clovis is lucky to have Tom Martin. Tom, I salute you.

Liz Eisenbraun

Clovis