Mitt Romney and His Savior, Jesus Christ---(Sort of.)

On todays TV news , Mitt Romney was shown telling of a near-fatal automobile accident he sustained In France while there as a Mormon missionary. He stated that at that time he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. I wonder if Mr Romney has ever read what Jesus said in the Book of Matthew, Chapter 19, verse 23, " Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  24. And again I say unto you , It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Rick Santorum, the staunch religion-espousing, anti-just-about-everything, ultra-conservative Roman Catholic  former presidential candidate, has said that he " never read the Bible---perhaps I should have."  Perhaps Mitt Romney should have, also.

The Republican Ignorance of the Human Condition

In Gail Collins article  " Only the Good Get Rich", (The Times, Sunday, September 2, Page A23) the Republicans announce that they are a party with a "positive optimistic view where any American who works hard, dreams big, and follows the rules can achieve anything he or she wants." On the one hand this shows a complete lack of understanding of the wide variation in human assets and capabilities as well as an arrogant assertion that their own success , and this attitude is usually proclaimed by very successful people, is due to their own personal and admirable decision to achieve. This attitude seems to assume that anyone can rise to the level of acceptance to Harvard University if they only decided to do so. Such nonsense!  Human intelligence varies from the mentally retarded to the genius--- which is genetically determined. Then comes the early family experience, (which can be a one-parent, two parent, bad parent, or no parents ) which is also crucial in human development  and future capabilities. And don't forget about  just plain luck. They are saying,  in effect, that anyone can be the CEO of a giant corporation, a billionaire hedge fund manager, a successful politician--such as a state governor, Supreme Court justice, ---up to and including  the presidency of the United States. What they are also saying is, that being rich and successful is the greatest  virtue---where it is often pure greed and  self-aggrandizement. Not only are the current republican candidates out of touch with the middle class,--- for which they are criticized,--- they are of touch with everyone but the rich and  "successful" elite.

To the Editor, The New York Times:

               Understanding Pedophilic Behavior

In the Times article,"  Bishop in Sexual Abuse Case Prompts New Outrage in Belgium",  (The Times, April 16 2011, Page A1)  it is reported that Bishop Vangeluwe,  having been accused of molesting his own nephews, described the incidents as follows: "It was a certain intimacy that took place, the nephews slept with me. It began as a game with the boys, and the abuse was restricted to a touching of the genitals---I never felt the slightest sexual attraction". He showed little guilt or contrition about it, or awareness of its effect on the boys. Then we read of Bishop Bernard Law of Boston,who would write in the  records of priests found to be sexually molesting young boys,'"He fools around with kids"---Hardly an accurate description of felonious sexual assault. Apparently he also saw such behavior as harmless , innocent behavior that young boys do all the time. This would explain why the Catholic Clergy failed to identify such behavior as  pathological and failed  do anything about the widespread pedophilia in the clergy. As one accused Bishop stated regarding his pedophilic behavior 25 years earlier,, " In those days we didn't know it was a condition, We just thought, make a good confession and sin no more." And Jerry Sandusky, during an interview with Tom Costas was slow to respond to a question regarding his alleged sexual attraction to young boys, as if he didn't see it as sexual at all. Sandusky doesn't show the slightest sign of remorse or guilt one would expect from a  mature, revered football coach who had sexually  assaulted children. One can perhaps understand these phenomena if one thinks that  pedophiles may not actually feel overt sexual arousal in this activity, because their main psychological identity is that of the age of the boys they molest. The alleged encounters are more like two young boys innocently exploring their own sexuality ---foollng around--- as many young boys do with each other  as a part of their becoming curious about their sexuality, not  that of a middle aged man with a young boy.  Their predominant emotional identity remains fixated at an early level, even though they appear to be and act in many ways like mature adults.  This the only way one could understand how a mature man who is dedicated to educating and coaching young men could not feel the revulsion and overwhelming guilt one would expect..  It  is why associates, friends, and university officials find it almost incomprehensible that  Jerry Sandusky could be  guilty of such evil, damaging, felonious behavior.

To the Editor, The New York Time:

Mitt Romney and God


In the article, "Romney's Faith, Silent and Deep" ( The Times, Sunday,May 20, Page 1) it is reported that a friend said, " He just needs to know what God wants him to do and how he can get it done". Later on we read, " Mr Romney prays before taking action on a decision for divine reassurance, a feeling that he is "united with the powers above".In other words, M Romney feels he can know what God wants him to do.  And later, Mrs Romney is quoted as saying that his run for the United States senate was part of God's plan. The article also mentions that " when a college student faced serious penalties for extra-marital sex, Mr Romney put him on probation instead, ( Of excomminication?) But he carried out excommunications faithfully." Reinhold Niebuhr, perhaps the most prominent and respected theologian of the 20th century, is quoted in a Times article in 2005 in paraphrasing Niebuhr, , " there is no greater human presumption than to read the mind of the Almighty , and no  more dangerous individual than the one who has convinced himself that he is executing God's will." Apparently Mormons feels they do  have a special relationship with God. Apparently,if elected Mitt Romney plans to do whatever he thinks God wants him to do. In other words, this election is really  between Obama and God.!!!!!

To the Editor, The New York Times:

Has Jesus Changed His Mind?

In the article, "Race and Religion Rear Their Heads," ( The Times, Saturday, May 19,  Page A13) it is reported  that Mitt Romney was quoted by reporters  as saying, that Obama wanted to male America into " a less Christian nation. " to which Romney replied that he stood by that comment.. Well, the fact is, America is already a less Christian nation, but conservative Christians don't want to admit that they, themselves,  have done it . With all the discussion and controversy about sexual mores in the current  campaign rhetoric, especially by conservative evangelical groups and their position on gay rights  and  same-sex marriage, to the extent that constitutional amendments have been suggested prohibiting it, it would behoove these groups to read what Jesus, himself, said about heterosexual marriage.  In Matt 5/32 he said, " But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife save for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced hath committed adultery"..And in Mark 10/11 Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her and in Mark 10/12  "And if a woman shall put away her husband and become married to another, she committeth adultery. The fact is, more than half of marriages in this country end in divorce and in many cases, followed by remarriage. In fact. the divorce rate is higher in the so-called Bible Belt states than in the more secular ones. Is this still a Christian country, or has Jesus changed his mind?

To the Editor, t\The New York Times:

           It's Already A Less Christian Nation.

In the article, "Race and Religion Rear Their Heads," ( The Times, Saturday, May 19,  Page A13) it is reported  that Mitt Romney was quoted by reporters  as saying, that Obama wanted to male America into " a less Christian nation. " to which Romney replied that he stood by that comment.. Well, the fact is, America is already a less Christian nation, but conservative Christians don't want to admit that they, themselves,  have done it .  According to the New Testament,, ( Jesus, himself)  all remarried divorcees are committing adultery, (The 7th Commandment ) and all extra-marital sexual activity is fornication. ( As St Paul said to single women and widows, regarding sex, "it's better to marry than to burn." These two groups--adulterers and fornicators make up almost the entire population of this country. (It has been noted that the divorce rate  is higher in the co-called Bible belt states than in the more secular states.)

To the Editor, The Record:

Another way of Looking at Pedophilic Behavior

      If one looks at a grown man sexually molesting a young boy as really two young boys "horsing around", one might get a better understanding of this repulsive and damaging activity. Recently in the New York Times article, " Bishop Sexual abuse Case Prompts New Outrage in Belgium", it is reported that Bishop Vangeluwe,  having been accused of molesting his own nephews, described the incidents as follows: "It was a certain intimacy that took place, the nephews slept with me. It began as a game with the boys, and the abuse was restricted to a touching of the genitals---I never felt the slightest sexual attraction". He showed little guilt or contrition about it, or awareness of its effect on the boys. Then we read of Bishop Bernard Law of Boston,who would write in the  records of priests found to be sexually molesting young boys,'"He fools around with kids"---Hardly an accurate description of felonious sexual assault. Apparently he also saw such behavior as harmless , innocent behavior that young boys do all the time. This would explain why the Catholic Clergy failed to identify such behavior as  pathological and failed  do anything about the widespread pedophilia in the clergy. As one accused Bishop stated regarding his pedophilic behavior 25 years earlier,, " In those days we didn't know it was a condition, We just thought, make a good confession and sin no more. It wasn't in our manuals ", as if it was quite normal sexual behavior--only sinful, like adultery,etc.   And Jerry Sandusky, during an interview with Bob Costas  on TV was slow to respond to a question regarding  sexual attraction to young boys, ---which he denied ---as if he didn't see it as sexual at all. He said h just liked being with kids. Sandusky doesn't show the slightest sign of remorse or guilt one would expect from a  mature, revered football coach who had sexually  assaulted children. Frankly,  on TV he appears to be unaware of what is really happening to him and why.  One can perhaps understand these phenomena if one thinks that  pedophiles may not actually feel  normal overt sexual arousal in this activity, because their main psychological identity is that of the age of the boys they molest. The alleged encounters are more like two young boys innocently exploring their own sexuality ---foollng around--- as many young boys do as a part of their becoming curious about their sexuality, not  that of a middle aged man with a young boy.  Their predominant developmental and emotional identity remains fixated at an early level, even though they appear to be and  in many ways act  like mature adults.  This the only way one could understand how a mature man who is dedicated to educating and coaching young men could not feel the revulsion and overwhelming guilt one would expect.  It  is why associates, friends, and university officials find it almost incomprehensible that  Jerry Sandusky could be  guilty of such awful, damaging, felonious behavior.

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To the Editor, The New York Time:

Mitt Romney and God


In the article, "Romney's Faith, Silent and Deep" ( The Times, Sunday,May 20, Page 1) it is reported that a friend said, " He just needs to know what God wants him to do and how he can get it done". Later on we read, " Mr Romney prays before taking action on a decision for divine reassurance, a feeling that he is "united with the powers above".In other words, M Romney feels he can know what God wants him to do.  And later, Mrs Romney is quoted as saying that his run for the United States senate was part of God's plan. The article also mentions that " when a college student faced serious penalties for extra-marital sex, Mr Romney put him on probation instead, ( Of excomminication?) But he carried out excommunications faithfully." Reinhold Niebuhr, perhaps the most prominent and respected theologian of the 20th century, is quoted in a Times article in 2005 in paraphrasing Niebuhr, , " there is no greater human presumption than to read the mind of the Almighty , and no  more dangerous individual than the one who has convinced himself that he is executing God's will." Apparently Mormons feels they do  have a special relationship with God. Apparently,if elected Mitt Romney plans to do whatever he thinks God wants him to do. In other words, this election is really  between Obama and God.!!!!!

To the Editor, The New York Times:

Has Jesus Changed His Mind?

In the article, "Race and Religion Rear Their Heads," ( The Times, Saturday, May 19, Page A13) it is reported that Mitt Romney was quoted by reporters as saying, that Obama wanted to male America into " a less Christian nation. " to which Romney replied that he stood by that comment.. Well, the fact is, America is already a less Christian nation, but conservative Christians don't want to admit that they, themselves, have done it . With all the discussion and controversy about sexual mores in the current campaign rhetoric, especially by conservative evangelical groups and their position on gay rights and same-sex marriage, to the extent that constitutional amendments have been suggested prohibiting it, it would behoove these groups to read what Jesus, himself, said about heterosexual marriage. In Matt 5/32 he said, " But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife save for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced hath committed adultery"..And in Mark 10/11 Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her and in Mark 10/12 "And if a woman shall put away her husband and become married to another, she committeth adultery. The fact is, more than half of marriages in this country end in divorce and in many cases, followed by remarriage. In fact. the divorce rate is higher in the so-called Bible Belt states than in the more secular ones. Is this still a Christian country, or has Jesus changed his mind?

To the Editor, t\The New York Times:

It's Already A Less Christian Nation.

In the article, "Race and Religion Rear Their Heads," ( The Times, Saturday, May 19, Page A13) it is reported that Mitt Romney was quoted by reporters as saying, that Obama wanted to male America into " a less Christian nation. " to which Romney replied that he stood by that comment.. Well, the fact is, America is already a less Christian nation, but conservative Christians don't want to admit that they, themselves, have done it . According to the New Testament,, ( Jesus, himself) all remarried divorcees are committing adultery, (The 7th Commandment ) and all extra-marital sexual activity is fornication. ( As St Paul said to single women and widows, regarding sex, "it's better to marry than to burn." These two groups--adulterers and fornicators make up almost the entire population of this country. (It has been noted that the divorce rate is higher in the co-called Bible belt states than in the more secular states.)

Conservative Leaders Selective Out-rage

To the Editor, The New York Times:

In response to President Obama's dramatic revelation of his approval of same-sex marriage, ( The Times, Thursday, May 10, Front Page), one reads and hears of the out-rage of conservative religious leader's, both political and clerical including New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan. However, one doesn't hear of outrage over the fact that over half of marriages in the US end in divorce, usually followed by re-marriage. Jesus , himself, says that " if a man puts his wife out in divorce except for fornication, he makes her an adulteress, and if a man marries a divorced woman, he is committing adultery." And regarding extra-marital sexual activity, i.e. fornication, St Paul, addressing single women and widows, admonishes them "if they cannot contain, It is better to marry than burn." Most likely if outrage was expressed in these areas, followers would change allegences and church pews would empty. What about a constitutional amendment out-lawing divorce? And laws forbidding any extra-marital sexual behavior.. How would that go over these days!

Thomas Jefferson, Where Are You Now?

With all the presidential candidates professing their Christian "faith", and some of them declaring America a Christian country, it is interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson, the framer of our constitution, had to say about his religious beliefs. He wrote his Syllabus of an Estimate of the Doctrines of Jesus Compared With Those of Others, which is generally described as a defense against the continuing public libel that he was an atheist. In it he states," I am a good Christian, a man who reveres Jesus, though I cannot accept his godhood". I wonder what Rick Santorum and the rest of the present Republican presidential candidates would have to say about that. One of the major fathers of our country whose monument dominates the scene with the other American greats in the area of the Washington Mall.

To the Editor, The New York Time

Take Your Pick, Legal or Illegal Abortions.

Abortions are going to happen. The questions is whether to have legal or illegal abortions. Prior to Roe vs Wade, 35 years ago, about 15,000 women died from illegal and self-induced " coat-hanger "abortions. That means that 500,000 women's lives have been saved since then. As for those religious who claim that embryos are living people, why aren't they baptized and given Christian burials instead of treated as medical waste? As a medical intern assisting at a medically indicated D and C, the nurse assisting baptized the specimen removed. Why isn't this routine if it contains a human being?.

to the Editor, of The New York Times:

It is reported widely in the news media that Penn State Asst Coach Mike McQueary actually observed Mr. Sandusky sexually assaulting a youngster---either by sodomy or oral sex. I don't understand why he didn't immediately separate Sandusky from the victim by physical force and call the police and rescue the young boy from this horrific crime. It seems to me that the football coaches and administrators involved denied the seriousness of what had happened, as they couldn't believe that one of their own was guilty of such horrendous criminal behavior---and an active pedophile.

To the Editor, The New York Times:

Non-sexual Sexual Molestation

The recent alleged sexual molestation of several young boys by a former football coach at Penn State, is reminiscent of a report in the Times of April , 2011, in which a Belgian bishop was accused of sexually abusing two boys, who happened to be his nephews. He described the incidents as " the nephews slept with me--in began as a game with the boys---and the abuse had been restricted to touching of the genitals. He never saw me naked and there was no penetration.I never felt the slightest sexual attraction " The bishop denied that he was "driven by sexual motives.". Apparently the bishop felt no guilt or contrition about the episodes as he didn't see it as a sexual experience at all. Such an experience is more like that of two prepubertal boys exploring their sexuality as is frequently the case. Adult males who engage in this sort of behavior have an immature---even child-like---identity, and are unaware of the damaging effect such behavior has on innocent young victims. To them it is like two young boys doing what young boys do, evidence of an unbelievable level of naivete and ignorance that is obviously difficult for anyone to understand. To the observer, this is where the denial comes in. The thought arises, "How could this be? It can't be happening to one of us! I don't want to deal with this. So nothing is done.

To the Editor, The New York Times:


Baptism of Fertilized Ova

The popular argument over whether abortion should be illegal is that life begins at conception., i.e that a fertilized ovum is a living person---therefore abortion is murder. That being the case, why is there no suggestion by evangelical Christians that these people should be baptized and given a Christian burial? I recall as a medical student a nurse in the delivery room baptized the product of a miscarriage. Twenty percent of normal pregnancies end in miscarriage. Are they God's abortions? Is there a special place in heaven for fetuses? Why aren't these questions answered by those who feel so strongly about preserving fertilized ova?

To the Editor, the New York Times;

It Was Fear Crime, Not Hate Crime

Regarding the trial of M. Ravi, convicted of a hate crime, two mistakes were made at Rutgers: he was assigned a gay roommate and the roommate invited a strange gay man to have sex with him in the shared room. His lawyers said that " he was a kid with little experience of homosexuality who stumbled into a situation that scared him". That should read, "He was put into a situation that scared him". Many men who are unsure of their own sexuality, are very uncomfortable and even anxious with any contact with homosexuals, hence the former rule against gays in the military and the phenomena of homophobia. Mr. Clementi's request that Mr. Ravi leave the room so he could have sex with a stranger he met on the internet was a situation that no roommate should have had to deal with. Mr. Ravi should have refused the request and if Mr Clementi proceeded anyway, Mr Ravi should have complained to the university authorities about it. and requested a change in rooms. That Mr Clementi actually expected that Ravi should go elsewhere so he could have privacy for his sexual encounter is incomprehensible. and no student should have had to put up with it. The university should apologize to Mr Ravi for their error.

To the Editor, The New York Times;

THE CROSS AT GROUND ZERO;

The article, " Atheists Sue to Block Display of Cross-Shaped Trade Center Beam in 9/11 Museum." (the Times, Friday, July 29, 2001, Page A20) discusses the controversy over a cross-shaped beam discovered in the debris at the World Trade Center. ( A TV news item showed a Catholic priest splashing Holy water on object.) . The plan is to install it in the museum as a part of the memorial. Already there are objections, citing the separation of church and state opinions. The cross was an instrument of torture and execution in the first century. In our culture it symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ , required by his Father in heaven, to forgive the sins of those who would believe in him. If Christ were to have lived in the 20th Century, and executed by the present day method--- in the electric chair, would models of an electric chair be installed on church steeples and altars and miniature gold replicas be hung around the neck of his followers? Would congregations be singing, "The Old Rugged Chair---the dearest and best." If he had been hung, would hangmans nooses be displayed and the hymn "The Old Rugged Noose" be sung in churches?

To the Editor, The New York Times;

Pro-Life is Really Pro-death.

In the article " Cain Opens Himself Up To Questions on Abortion" ( The Times, Friday, October 21, Page A 26 ) it seems obvious that Mr. Cain, although professing his belief that " life begins at conception--- and abortion under no circumstances", is appeasing conservative Evangelical Christians for political reasons. Later on however, he states that "The government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything to do", leaving the decision about ending a pregnancy a "choice the family or that mother has to make". Mr Cain has more compassion than so-called religious conservatives---he wants to save the life of mothers! Before Roe vs Wade approximately 15,000 pregnant women died every year from botched illegal and self-induced coat hanger abortions. In the 35 years since that ruling, about 500,000 women's lives have been saved. If Roe vs Wade were repealed, this statistic would soon become tragically repeated. ( About 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage (i.e. spontaneous abortion ) Are they God's abortions?) The product of miscarriages are routinely thrown in the medical waste. If they were living beings, why aren't they baptized and given Christian burials?

To the Editor, The New York Time

Take Your Pick, Legal or Illegal Abortions.

Abortions are going to happen. The questions is whether to have legal or illegal abortions. Prior to Roe vs Wade, 35 years ago, about 15,000 women died from illegal and self-induced " coat-hanger "abortions. That means that 500,000 women's lives have been saved since then. As for those religious who claim that embryos are living people, why aren't they baptized and given Christian burials instead of treated as medical waste? As a medical intern assisting at a medically indicated D and C, the nurse assisting baptized the specimen removed. Why isn't this routine if it contains a human being?.