Letter to the Editor
I appreciate the “Living on Purpose” article in the News & Press each week by Rev. Bill Holland.
However, the article last week, “Religious Freedom for All Convictions,” was a great disappointment.
I believe that Rev. Holland is most probably a good man. He is involved in the community as chaplain of his fire department, a faith-based member of the state emergency crisis response team, a volunteer chaplain for a veterans’ health care facility, not to mention his ministerial duties.
As a fellow pastor, even being retired, I understand his efforts for good. However, I do not understand why he would allow the government, the culture, other individuals or groups to allow him to deny our Lord.
When he says that he is not allowed to use the name of Jesus in his capacity as a minister, yet will submit to such behavior, I think he is seriously compromised. He could say NO! I will pray in the Name of Jesus or I won’t pray at all.
Our Lord Jesus plainly says in Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
Also, the Apostle Peter and the other apostles, as they stood before a religio/political tribunal that commanded them not to use the name of Jesus, responded this way: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God, judge ye” (Acts 4:16-21).
I hope Rev. Holland will reconsider his position. If he must deny his Lord to please men, would it not be better to say no to those who ask him to do so?
Thank you again for the weekly newspaper you publish.
Leroy Lowery, Darlington
