Do you think John Ashcroft (president-elect Bush’s nominee) is a good choice for Attorney General? I believe the people of Missouri sent a SERIOUS message when they elected a “dead man” rather than giving him a senatorial seat. (Missouri’s electoral votes went to Bush.). What is it about this man that the state of Missouri knows and the president-elect doesn’t? I also have concerns about his extreme views of abortion (against it), the dead penalty (for it), civil rights (supported segregation), anti-gun control and lack of tolerance for individual religious and spiritual perspectives. In short, I believe Mr. Ashcroft’s personal views seriously impair his ability to apply equal justice for all people.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Answers

Brenda, it is interesting that some of the things that trouble you are the very things that I like about the man. He is against abortion which I think is the Christian position; tough on crime [In Texas 7 convicts escaped from prison more than three weeks ago. They shot and killed a police officer during a robbery, shot him 11 times in the head since he was wearing a vest. They still haven't been caught. What should we do with them when they are caught?]; I am against gun control because those 7 convicts are still on the loose and living in the country as I do, I can't wait for 911 sometimes, I need my guns. Last, as a senator and legislator, Mr. Ashcroft and any other person must vote their convictions on the potential laws that come before them. As Attorny General. personal convictions are not involved. This office requires that the person enforce all of the laws equally. If the AG fails to do that, he/she can be remoced from office. Remember how we tried to remove Mr. Clinton from office? Mr. Ascroft has strong convictions but I do not fear that in a person. The one that I fear is one who bends with every wind that blows. Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2001

Pastor Paris,

I understand the moral dilemma between abortion and the death penalty. Both are deaths imposed by the hands of man. We want to play G-d, making a difference between the two methods of death. Abortions appear mortally wrong because it involves an unborn child. The death penalty appears right because the person has committed a crime against society. There are no easy answers.

Many people, including Mr. Ashcroft conveniently use Christianity as a cloak for justifying their behavior. Christianity (as I understand it) teaches that murder is unjustifiable (10 commandments). The bible makes no distinction between the methods of death. Spiritually and biblical murder is wrong. You can not have it both ways. Did Jesus EVER murder anyone?

Mr. Ashcroft’s nomination is not a partisan issue. I have serious problems with religious, self righteous, pompous zealots. Especially those who throw a rock and hide their hands. I plan to write my senator and express my concerns against his nomination. I pray for spiritual intervention. Because this man (in my opinion) thinks that he is a god.

As for Texas and the escaped convicts, I think there is a larger story here. How did those young men escape? Did they have save guards in place? The news media reports that it was a lax security issue.

In Love and Light

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2001

Hello Brenda; Sen. Ashcroft should be confirmed. I have no morbid fear of Ashcroft as AG of the US just like I had no fear of Reno. Keep in mind that the Senatorial rejection of Ashcroft, who at one time was an early Presidential hopeful, was more a "sympathy" vote given the tragic circumstances of his opponent's death. He did not litigate the decision of his opponent's widow to step forth. The decison made by Ashcroft to not contest the outcome and graciously concede defeat projected him as compassionate and not obsessed with political gain. This is in complete contrast to the Gore-Lieberman debacle. One of the least published facts is that Senator Ashcroft supported 23 out of 26 black judges recommended by President Clinton for the Federal Bench. By my math that ratio is pretty good. In addition would a rabid segregationist lead the effort to make MLK a state holiday, give state [MO] recognition of Scott Joplin, rescue a fledging MO HBCU [Lincoln Univ.] or receive 30% of the black vote during his two-term stint as MO governor?

If the Senator is a rabid segregationist, religious intolerant or imperial racist as his critics have created through caricature, the above facts squarley contradict the popular wisdom. What a person believes is one thing, enforcing the law is totally different. The task of the AG is to make sure that fundamental fairness and relentless enforcement of Federal law is carried out. An individual's attitude about revisionist history [i.e. romanticizing about the Confederacy], Biblical fundamentalism or specuations about Roe v Wade are simply irrelevant for fitness to serve. Fitness to serve depends on actions not attitudes.

Ashcroft's rejection of black judge Ronnie White to the appeallate bench has made White a political cause celebre'. This is unfortunate because too few of us will ever take the time to carefully read Judge White's dissenting opinion in the murder trial which precipitated Ashcroft's reversal of opinion. If the AG is not performing in his capacity as the nation's top lawyer then, and only then, would resignation be warranted. The demonization of Ashcroft is yet another "Bork" strategy used by liberal elites to condescendingly suggest "who" is best for black people in America. I do not think this leads to effective enfranchisement. QED

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2001

Did God allow Mr. Ashcroft to lose his Senate race because He had a new job for him?

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2001

How can one equate the death of an unborn child with the death of one who has murdered another person? There is no moral dilemma for me to hate the idea of abortion and stand firm on the death penalty. God clearly gave us the right and responsibility to establish authority to govern ourselves. He himself said that the soul that sins will die, also an eye for an eye and so forth. But to mention abortion and the death penalty for criminals, how could you. Oklahoma executed a black woman last night, I hate that it had to happen; she killed two people and was on parole for killing the first one when she killed the second. Again I ask, what shall we do with those escaped convicts (that you call young men) when we catch them? Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2001

Like all the other issues, which surround this election and upcoming administration, I see this whole thing as a smoke screen to deceive people who have not thought through the issues. Abortion, Gay Rights and other similar issues are CHOICES--which I as a Christian do not, and cannot support--Yet they are still CHOICES which Christian men and women can deliberately refuse to make. However, capital punishment and refusal to count the votes of all the people are choices, which the government has made for us and in my opinion, are unholy and unrighteous before God. "Thou shalt not kill", ought to apply to me as an individual as well as "me" collectively as a State, especially in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, hate crimes in which elected governmental officials seem to look the other way or wars in which persons fight to preserve the right of one group of people to enslave another are equally Unchristian. I thank God that our founding fathers put in place checks and balances for government out of control. Not only should we petition the Congress against making bad appointments, but also we need to be aware that one-third of the Congress will be retired in November of 2002. Therefore, we need to hold them accountable, and in the words of another Republican, assure that this nation under God holds up its creed that "Government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE (all the people) shall not perish from the earth."

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

Americans, like the good people of Missouri should reject John Ashcroft. Personnally, I am tired of MEN of any race or religion telling females what to do about abortions. And to me how can you claim to be a chritian and support the death penalty. DOes either of you remember Moses or David?

Conservatives and the extreme religious right in America need to get real. Unless you plan to provide for all the children of unwanted preganacies then let women decide. How many fathers, especially black ones, have walked out on their children leaving mothers to provide for them.

John Ashcroft along with our new president elect represent all the things that are wrong in America. GIANT HIPPOCRACY.

Let up pray that these four years will end quickly.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

I hear and understand all the rhetoric and "reasoning" for justifying abortion. But when I stand before God, I want to be able to say that I did my best to stop the killing of innocent babies. Who can tell? Have we killed the person who would have developed a cure for: AIDS, Heart Disease, Cancer. It is hard for me to have compassion for one who has killed other innocent people such as Timothy McViegh, the Oklahoma bomber. I do have compassion for the babies in the Day Care Center who were killed in the bombing. I do have compassion for the innocent people killed in Belgrade by the bombs we dropped on then by Clinton's orders. The death penalty my be wrong, I won't argue that, but killing innocent babies who have done nothing wrong. . . they didn't even have the choice of being created! They were just inconvient! Rachel is crying over her children once again!!! Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

I am not justifying abortion. Nor the death penalty. I am simply saying that you can’t have it both ways. This rhetoric is the hypocritical portion of this debate. We (as mere mortals, if we had a “dot” of G-d’s power, we would probably blow up) don’t have the spiritual nor mental capacity to act as G-d. Therefore, we should STOP placing weights on sin. Period. The Bible says, “Thou shall not kill.” It does not say, “in certain instances it is okay.”

Again, my problem with Ashcroft is I believe he can not apply fair justice in situations that he does not believe in. This nation (not a Christian nation) does not have standard of religious values/morals. It was founded on religious freedom. I will not allow Mr. Ashcroft, President-elect Bush or this government to dictate my morals, beliefs, values, spirituality...in short define me.

The Bible has contradictions, which in my opinion demands spiritual interventions. For example. “Thou shall not kill”. “An eye for an eye” “Unlimited Forgiveness” You must know what to eat and leave on your plate. A person can take the Bible, twist the words and justify their behavior. A person must look beyond the text for a spiritual understanding. My G-d is not the G-d of confusion. Therefore, when I study, I look for the truth (what makes the best sense). My Spirit says that it wrong to kill. Not just human beings, but animals as well. (I am slowing becoming a vegetarian for this reason. I realize that I am eating dead flesh)

I agree with Sis. Doris, we remain prayerful!

In Love and Light.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001

You're right Sister Brenda. One can twist the Bible to say all kinds of things. Hmmmmmmm...

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001

Can someone explain to me how they believe in yhe sanctity of life, however, they support the death penalty? Either you believe that life is precious or you don't!!!

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Rev. Greene:

An unborn baby is innocent, helpless, totally dependent upon its parents and society for its life and security. Texas executed 40 murderers in 2000. Some of these people were multiple killers. One, who lived about 12 miles from my home killed 5 people. I don't like the death penalty. I do want to protect my family. There are seven convicts loose in Texas right now. 4 of them are killers. All of them killed a police officer during a robbery on Christmas Eve. They will be excuted when caught and found guilty. Had the murderers among them been excuted, I would not be posting guards at night right now. How many babies were killed in Texas in the year of 2000? 4000 perhaps? More than 40 per day takes place I dare say. You, a man of the cloth, how can you support baby killing? Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Thou shalt not kill!

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Did God goof when He killed those He felt deserved it? He used fire, angels, a flood, snakes, plague, the earth opening up, the army of Israel, assassins, and individuals. The Mosaic Law also warrants death for much more than simple murder. Don't forget the last days are coming where there will be death to the tune of 1/3 of the earth several times at a shot, and all by the direct or indirect hand of God.

We may have problems in our application of the death penalty, but surely there are innocent lives, and there are guilty lives.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2001

Is a man what he believes? As a senator Ashcroft co sponsored a bill banning federal affirmative action. As a senator he backed an attempt to relax antitrust laws. As governor, seven men were executed, nor did he commute any death sentences. Ashcroft opposes any ban on assualt style weapons and most other federal controls. As MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL HE FOUGHT FEDERAL COURT ORDERS to desegrate public schools, and as senator he voted against expanding hate-crimes law. Ashcroft's affiliation with Bob Jones University is distburbing to me, his quote in Southern Partisan magazine is disheartening and his deferment during the Viet Nam war is a sad commentary. Truth should come to light on the Ronnie White appointment. I am not certain that it was racism in play here, but personal gain. I do agree with his stance on abortion, but not on the death penalty.

God commanded man not to kill. Jesus warned us not to fear those who could kill the body, but to beware of those who would kill the soul. It frightens me when men rationalize who shoud live and who should die. God can kill as He chooses because He is God. Since mortals cannot restore life, who are we to decide at any point, (womb to adulthood) when a man should die.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2001

Actually, the commandment is to nor Murder. Sometimes killing is necessary. The old testament is replete with examoples where God has killed those he decides is worthy of death. Sometimes we disagree with Him such as the death of Judah's boys for refusing to impregnate Tamor. This was for disobedience to God which is worthy of death with out regard to what you refuse to do. The other point is that death to this tent of flesh is not that baig a deal. Jesus said that we ought to fear the One that can kill the soul, rather than the body. We place far to much emphasis on our life here. I will agree that the death penalty is applied for the wrong reasons. We are "punishing" the offender and actually we should be simply removing one from society when he/she has forfieted their right to live among us. Our jails should be places for rehabilitation rather than punishment. Vengance is mine, says the Lord. Blessing Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001

Pastor Paris,

I've sat back and watched this particular topic on the message board quietly, but I must speak up after your last comment. The same argument that you use in justifying the death penalty can be used to justify a woman's right to choose. You say that some killing is necessary. Would you be in favor of the death penalty if the mother or child's life was in danger? Would you be in favor of selective reduction, where there are too many babies in the womb to carry all of them to full term? Are there circumstances when the aborting of a fetus is necessary? If you answer yes to either of these questions then you must be in favor of a woman's right to choose, not when the circumstances fit your beliefs, but when they fit the mother's beliefs. Each one of us is responsible for our own souls salvation. We must live the way God has planned for us to and let our example be a light unto the world. When the roll is called up yonder, He's going to ask how did I live my life in accordance to his Word and I'll only be able to answer for myself. Which brings me back to the original question that was posted on the board, will Mr. Ashcroft be a good choice for Attorney General. I think that if he is to let his light shine and be an example of Christianity, then he would not be able to uphold laws that he deems unholy, thus preventing him from doing his job as Attorney General.

We're not going to find a candidate for Attorney General that is not going to have strong views against abortion from this President- Elect. However, since the laws of the nation make abortion legal, I personally feel that the Attorney General should be one who feels that way also.

It's going to be an interesting four years. As for my family, we are going to be in constant prayer for our nation and our Church.

Amy Henry

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2001