This Editorial is for Christians Only

I believe people should be able to disagree politely. I believe that the facts should be considered and that emotion has no place in a reasonable discussion.

Last night I attended the Charlotte County School Board meeting. One of the items on the agenda was discussion of the Colton Osborne bench on the athletic field at Randolph-Henry. The issue is that the bench has a Bible verse on it.

Personally, I like the verse and would like to see it stay. Practically, it may have to be removed.  That is a decision that must be made based on facts and law, not anyone’s personal beliefs or emotions, including mine.  I also believe there are things worth fighting for.

I will add that Philippians 4:13 has now received more attention in the media than it would have ever received had the controversy not been started.  The bench has been shown in numerous newspaper stories and television reports.

If “spreading the word” is the goal of Christianity then that has certainly happened.

Six people spoke passionately in favor of leaving the bench and the verse as it is.

What concerned me most was the attitude, language and demeanor of some of the bench supporters after the meeting.  This is addressed to only a few of the supporters and does not involve the rest.

You have just attended a meeting in support of Christian values. You either spoke in favor of or applauded the speakers who spoke on Christian values.

How can you justify the unproven accusations, the character assignations, and the vulgar comments?

I would refer you to the Bible and the Ten Commandments which Christians believe were “written by the finger of God” on stone tablets and handed to Moses.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness.”