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Blaming religion won't solve our problems

Re: "America needs to get real" (Oct. 20 commentary):

This article should serve as a wake-up call to all Christians in the Roanoke Valley. I agree with Jerome Schleifer's assertion that religion itself has obvious results of "dissension and bickering, among diverse denominations and within their own." Religion in and of itself breeds nothing other than rebellion as we view it as a list of impossible do's and don'ts that one could never live up to. However, there is much more to God than religion. God is love.

I know firsthand of more than one life-after-death experience (one was my own, one my mother's) that left me knowing undeniably that God exists.

If, as Schleifer suggests, we need to believe in a tangible god -- i.e., ourselves and the gods in our families and neighbors -- how come we have not fixed these problems on our own already?

Perhaps America would do better if everyone pulled together to help fix these things, rather than wasting our time blaming religion for things that it didn't create, e.g., corrupt governments and faulty programs.

Denying God can lead to destruction

Jerome Schleifer, in "America needs to get real" (Oct. 20 commentary), is an example of the characteristics of this age: unregenerate man resolving everything on the basis of his thinking, his mind.

Scripture boldly states that these people are fools. They deny the existence or relevance of God, and thus become a law unto themselves. It's like living within one's own little world.

C.S. Lewis said, "Good philosophy must exist if for no other reason because bad philosophy needs to be answered." Schleifer in his own mind has become his own god and turned his back on the true God. Joining in with idols is dangerous, and as in the past and even now, one could be left to his own destruction.

Fools will always be with us. It is my hope and prayer that Schleifer will one day come to know the real truth that the father of lies has obviously blinded him from.

Secular gains mark the nation's decline

Re: "America needs to get real," (Oct. 20 commentary):

Jerome Schleifer's point seems to be that religion and any belief in God is a distraction from human development. What is ironic is that most organized religions do exactly what Schleifer seems to advocate: bring the intangible, supernatural God to Earth in human form or some other earthly form.

Many of the archaeological remains that Schleifer refers to as evidence of man's great accomplishments are, in fact, temples or other religious edifices. If he thinks that the carriage is a more sophisticated creation than the pumpkin, he should think again.

Is Schleifer blaming religion for our current sorry state? If so, he should check his time lines.

As America has become more secular and morals and values have declined, so has its development and economy declined. Every attempt by humans to accomplish so-called equity has resulted in exactly the opposite effect and the secular elite have benefited the most, not the poor.

Secular humanists such as Schleifer are unable to comprehend the concept of human existence in concert with a divine creator. Maybe this will help: God created evolution.

Thanks for working to improve schools

After reading countless editorials and articles bashing the Roanoke School Board and system, I feel it is time to say thank you to those who selflessly give their time to make our schools a better place. The graduation rate has risen, more schools have reached accreditation and morale is up.

I teach for a Roanoke school and my children attend school in the city. I work with several teachers who also bring their children to either their school or another city school. We do so because we believe in the system.

Superintendent Rita Bishop has made a tremendous difference, and her staff and the board members need to be recognized for their achievements. Those who feel otherwise should work to make a difference by volunteering at the closest school or community center.

As it has been said, "It takes a village." For those school board members who have chosen to take on the task of bettering our schools, I stand up and say thanks.

World peace is now a priority for the U.S.

A Nobel Prize can be given to some person or organization for opening a new direction that brings good to the world. President Obama has strengthened international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples, and his vision -- work for a world without nuclear weapons -- is being recognized.

America is expected to be a leader on the world front, and it used to enjoy a respected position until the Bush administration trashed it. The previous administration led us by obstinacy and outmoded ideas like, "Iraq is our enemy, (because they were my daddy's enemy)."

The Nobel Prize was given to Obama for his stand for peace. Many people stand for peace, but this is the president of the United States. This is now a legitimate priority with this country. This may not be important to some in this country, but it is huge in the world. This is a world fight against terrorism and it calls for diplomacy and dialog with allies and enemies.

The Nobel Peace Prize can be controversial because it is based on intangible issues. Other American presidents to receive this wonderful praise and prize are Jimmy Carter, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

Keep the faith for a train stop in Roanoke

I just read an article from The Roanoke Times dated May 23, 1988. The headline reads "Amtrak may add Roanoke." Tell me what happened. Why was our Roanoke route never added to Amtrak?

Here it is, 2009, and Roanoke is still left out of being on Amtrak's route. We are an important city, as much as Lynchburg, in fact, bigger and better than Lynchburg. So I wish somebody would tell me why Roanoke is not considered a city worth a train stop by the people of Amtrak.

I love to ride the train, so don't let Amtrak stop its routes to Lynchburg if it can't find a way to Roanoke, which should be the place to stop anyway. We must keep hoping for a stop in Roanoke soon.

Radio station should have an advisory board

I read with interest Michael Bentley's commentary, "Public missing from radio programming" (Oct. 18), on Glen Gleixner, station manager of WVTF. It dealt with the one-man censorship of WVTF in refusing to allow, or even discuss, Plowshare's efforts for more than a year to have this public radio station carry "Democracy Now!"

I am a long-time listener and supporter of this excellent station. A few years ago, the then-station manager was guilty of this same arrogance and left the station.

Though the station is owned by Virginia Tech, it should have a regional advisory board. The station successfully solicits public support, but there is no source for public input. Such high-handed power should not be permitted, not only now, but in the future.

I read the news story a week or so ago ("Group protests decision by public radio station," Oct. 17) and was delighted to see Bentley take up the gauntlet and for your paper to publish it. Congratulations to you both.