subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Jul 19 2008 

Published May 02, 2008 11:28 am - Shawn Sparlin (Globe, April 18) seemed to be upset by some comments made to an atheist speaking to the Illinois Legislature.

Voices: God-given rights



Shawn Sparlin (Globe, April 18) seemed to be upset by some comments made to an atheist speaking to the Illinois Legislature.

He was so perturbed, he misquoted a passage from the Bible that refers to hating the failings of man (woman also, I suspect but can’t prove).

I feel Mr. Sparlin misunderstands many things, including the notion that government can grant rights. If I’m not mistaken, the beauty of the U. S. government is that it works under the precept that only God grants “rights.”

Whatsoever you do or do not believe about God, the only proper and just action any authority can do is to recognize these God-given rights. I suppose if you don’t believe in God then perhaps you have no God-given rights? Maybe this explains the present push to remove anything connected with the notion of God from government.

No God, no rights, government may do as it pleases. Separation of church and state does not mean destruction of the latter for the idolizing of the former.

Separation should not be construed as mutually exclusive; they can co-exist yet remain separate. I suspect Mr. Sparlin believes atheists should speak, yet those who have faith speak not?

Francis G. Biss II

Neosho



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Get Our Free Pod Cast!

In Sundays Print Edition Only!

32 buy 1 get 1 free offers


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

ENROLL IN PHLEBOTOMY
Clinic Tech and Psych Tech. Many area job openings. Payment plans! Call 417-529-3375. ...>MORE

EUCLID GROUP HOME
located in Carthage, is seeking Direct Care Staff. Full time positions. Variety of shifts available. Must be 18. High Sc...>MORE

PIZZA COOK
PIZZA COOK. Apply in person: Pizza By Stout, 2101 Range Line. Ask for Mike....>MORE

Front desk clerk, kitchen, and assistant manager postions
Apply at Hallmark Inn, 3600 Range Line, Joplin....>MORE

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE POSITION
accounts receivable position. Mid-America is seeking outgoing individuals to join our team. HOURLY WAGES/PERFORMANCE BO...>MORE

EASY WORK.
Big $$$ Must have pickup and ladder. Will train. (620)856-2000....>MORE

SUBCONTRACTOR POSITION
subcontractor Position open for Radar Road Technician. Must like to travel and have reliable transportation. Will train ...>MORE

$ ROOFING ESTIMATORS $
Work for the local guy. Leads, leads, leads. Top pay plan. (620)856-2000....>MORE

DRIVER WANTED
Local company seeking experienced drivers. Home every night. We offer 401K plan, insurance, bonus program and paid vacat...>MORE

DIAMOND TOWING
taking applications for office help and wrecker operators. (417)317-3227....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE CONVERTIBLE
92,000 miles, power windows and locks, wheels, spoiler, $3850. (417)451-7843. ...>MORE

1998 GMC JIMMY
GMC, 1998 Jimmy, 4x4, loaded, red, 4 door. $2900/ best offer. (417)448-7281....>MORE

HONDA ROAD BIKE
honda, 250cc, Motorcycle, Road Bike. $1500 or best offer. (417)206-4964. ...>MORE

1982 HARLEY SPORTSER
Harley, 1982 Sportser, 1000cc, 8300 miles, excellent bike. $4850.(417)291-4391...>MORE

LEXUS, 2001 LX470
78,500 miles, sunroof, 4 wheel drive, air, leather interior, power windows/seats/locks, anti-lock brakes, airbags, Marc ...>MORE

FORD 1996 F-250
ford, 1996 F-250 Super Cab 4x4, long bed, 7.3 diesel, $7150/offer. 627-9008....>MORE

2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
CHEVROLET, 2004 Silverado, 2 wheel drive, regular cab, short bed, power windows, power locks, rear window defroster, key...>MORE

DAILY DRIVER
1979 Honda CX500, shaft drive, full windshield, reliable bike, up to 48 mpg. $1200. Please call (417)432-3131. ...>MORE

CHEVROLET 2004 COLORADO
CHEVROLET, 2004 Colorado, 5 cylinder, 48,000 miles, $9250. (417)782-7382....>MORE

CHEVROLET, 2006 SILVERADO Z71
4X4, extended cab, super nice, 28,000 actual miles, $13,000. (417)623-2011. ...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-5 P.M.
open HOUSE SUNDAY 2-5 p.m. New construction, 1950 sq. ft. 3 br, 2 ba, hardwoods, ceramic tile, Cedar Ridge, 4715 West. 2...>MORE

RECENTLY FORECLOSED
Special Financing Available, Any Credit, Any Income. 2 br, 1 ba, 100 sq. ft., located at 1228 Picher, Jopin. $39,900. ...>MORE

OPEN SUNDAY 2 P.M.-4 P.M.
OPEN SUNDAY 2 P.M.-4 P.M., BY OWNER 219 N. JACKSON. Remodeled 4 BR, 2 BA, 2 Story, large living, formal dining, laminate...>MORE

SPACIOUS 2 STORY HOME
Spacious 2 story home with lovely staircase. 4 BR, 2 Ba, dining room, utility, hardwood floors, large shaded deck, 2 car...>MORE

3 BR 2 BA
16X80, 1993, 3 br, 2 ba, with appliances, $15,000. (417)499-7693. ...>MORE

1 STORY, CARTHAGE
for sale or lease purchase: great neighborhood in Carthage, 4000 sq. ft., 1 story, $255,900. (417)359-5649....>MORE

3 BR IN WEBB CITY
3 BR, small, large lots, clean, Webb City, MO. (417)781-0988...>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
Drive by 2904 N. Forrest Court off N. St. Louis and Zora and view this newly constructed home. 4 BR, 3 BA, 3 car garage,...>MORE

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES FOR SALE
1-2-or 3 BR houses and vacant lots in Baxter Springs. (620)856-3565...>MORE

3 BR, 2 BA 2003 DOUBLE WIDE
3 BR, 2 BA, 2003 double wide with appliances, central heat/air, large covered deck, storage building, covered parking, l...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

BURIAL PLOTS
2 spaces, prime location, Ozark Memorial Park. Carolyn: 624-3017. ...>MORE

IMMEDIATE OPENING
immediate opening by loving mother in Joplin. (417)206-4412. ...>MORE

YORKIIES
YORKIES: Full blooded, healthy, ready,
$250-$425. (417)624-5079.
...>MORE

PUGS
pugs, AKC, adult, 3 fawn females, 1 is bred, 1 black male, 1 apricot male. All sold together. $750 Cash, firm. (417)317...>MORE

TOY SCHNAUZERS
AKC, parti and other rare colors. Free delivery to Joplin area. $300-$500. (573)931-1959. ...>MORE

VARIOUS APPLIANCES
upright/chest freezer, $149 each; Magic Chef washer, $119; Kenmore electric stove, $119; Kenmore side-by-side refrigerat...>MORE

SAUNA
built in stereo speakers, new, still in package, retails $3500, sell $950.
417-823-9445.
...>MORE

TOY POODLE
Male pup, $75. 417-439-8960....>MORE

CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES
Chihuahua puppies, long haired, 2 males, 1 female. (417)860-1686...>MORE

FREE TO GOOD HOME: GERMAN SHEPHERD
approximately 6 months old, female. She is a very sweet rescued dog who has had her shots. (417)592-1066. ...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc
 

 

Find A Home Find A Car Find Anything