John Graham’s recent article in The Advocate, An offering to God, created a stir among many who have supported (at least to some extent) what he is doing with his “sex offenders” program, as well as those who oppose it. One individual has already responded, “It was insulting.” Graham defended it at Saturday morning’s Republican Men’s Club meeting – story soon to be posted – however, this letter has been submitted for publication.
Sermonizing is best limited to the appropriate form
Public sermonizing and the invocation of the name of God is not an effective tool when dealing with secular issues. Constitutionally it is referred to as “separation of church and state.”
This is especially true in a community containing respectable members of all faiths including agnostics and atheists. Outright public demonizing of people who have a right to express a certain amount of anger based on their perception of the safety of their children and wives and the depreciation of property values is wrong. The letter lacks any measure of empathy for the concerns of those who oppose him.
What John calls “a ministry” most would label as “social services.” Indeed the public funding he receives is based on the social service aspect as opposed to the religious component of the work.
Our primary concern regarding the article “An Offering to God” is that it lacks the essence of Christianity – concern, understanding and forgiveness of a community that is fearful of the influx of old criminals, new criminals, drug abuse and an increasing criminal activity. Where in the message do you find “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”?
The examples of Irish Catholics and Protestants in the Christian faith and Sunnis and Shiites in the Muslim faith continuing to murder each other in large numbers suggests that religion should be left out of issues that can be solved in a reasoned and non-violent way.
Charles E. Reier MD
Rebecca A. Reier
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