Universe's center constantly shifting
I want to express my thanks to Jason Benell for his Jan. 6 letter. The point was that Christians are the privileged class and they should be grateful for their special status.
Remember the Unitarian Thomas Jefferson got religious freedom into the Constitution because most Christians wanted protection from other Christians. Quaker Christians had been hanged by Puritans. Catholic minorities were bullied by Southern Baptists. Mormons ran to Utah to get away from other Christians. Jehovah Witnesses are given the cold shoulder from other Christians. When in our history have Christians been persecuted by Jews, Buddhists or Unitarians?
A while back I wrote a letter suggesting the season’s greeting should be for person being greeted. Wow! Look at the reaction from our right-wing radio! The suggestion was that “merry Christmas” was the battle cry of the right wing and anyone considering an alternative was a weirdo, a liberal, less patriotic and less worthy to enjoy the paradise offered by North Idaho.
Note that right-wing Christians do have complete political control of this state. If I write a letter to a congressman, it has to be sent out of state. None of local politician can represent me in Boise.
As an independent, I am not even allowed to vote in the primary. In a one-party state, the November election has little meaning if the primary has already decided who will win. Certainly the majority has the right to privilege but with privilege comes responsibility.
However, having said the above, we still must appreciate that religion does evoke emotions. Insulting people whether with a cartoon or name-calling is bad manners. We must all remember that we are at the center of the universe only when we measure from the point on which we are standing.
HARVEY PINE
Sandpoint