Sounding off: Methodist split

Is Trump above the law?

The responses of congressional Republicans to President Trump’s indictment, as described in the article, “Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress leap into action on charges after months of preparation” (June 10, TribLIVE) show, that these supporters are more concerned about Donald Trump than about the safety of our nation and the rule of law. On the one hand, they say that no one is above the law. On the other hand, they make it clear that they view Trump as being above the law.

Trump’s alleged violations against the retention of top-secret documents, including those dealing with nuclear weapons, as well as indications that he twice showed such documents to people who had no clearance, are highly serious. Anyone who cares about the United States and the rule of law should want the allegation to be dealt with through the courts.

When was it that the party once concerned with national security lost its way?

Robert J. Reiland

O’Hara

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Trump deserves 4th Amendment protection

Democrats frequently whine that, “No one is above the law.” The Fourth Amendment of our Constitution reads: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

President Trump is entitled to the same Fourth Amendment protections as anyone. This amendment prohibits law enforcement from seizing personal papers and using these materials to prosecute him for having legally acquired papers under the Presidential Records Act.

Violating the “right of the people to be secure in their … papers” in the manner that has caused the filing of criminal charges against an American citizen are actionable offenses against government agents subject to criminal charges and personal liability for damages. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1872, Title 18 USC Section 242 and Section 1983, respectively.

We seem to have become a democratic dictatorship that operates above the constitutional law. “We the people” must end this by a nationwide boycott of the Democratic Party from top to bottom.

Dr. Bill Choby

Latrobe

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Explaining the Methodist split

The article “Some Western Pennsylvania United Methodist churches make split official at conference” (June 15, TribLIVE) needs some context.

Wesleyan theology would have that those who believe in a new life in Christ are first called to be holy in conduct.

Traditionalists of the UMC are saying all people are worthy of God’s love, all can participate in the life of the church and are worthy of God’s grace if they first reject sin.

The UMC Book of Discipline states LGBTQ people cannot hold leadership positions (i.e., pastoral ministry), nor can they be “married” by UMC clergy in or outside a UM church. (Reference: 1 Timothy 3: 1-13.)

The impassioned LGBTQ plea is: God is love, Jesus loved sinners, Jesus lived with sinners, Jesus ate with sinners, Jesus forgave sinners, Jesus died for sinners. All true, but Jesus never condoned sin.

Some within the UMC believe the LGBQT lifestyle is acceptable behavior and not sin.

If this lifestyle is not sin, then there is no need for repentance, no need for forgiveness and no need for God’s grace. (Reference 2 Timothy 4:3.)

One UMC member’s “alternate lifestyle” is another UMC member’s definition of sin for which there can be no “connectionalism” (a UM term) nor, regrettably, any reconciliation.

If you try to be all things to all people, you become nothing to no one. Hence this schism.

David A. Scandrol

Lower Burrell

The writer is a lifelong adherent to Wesleyan theology

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Neither DEP’s name or role should be changed

Thank you for publishing the well-written letter “Ramifications of DEP name change” (June 12, TribLIVE) about the Pennsylvania Senate’s attempt to change the name (and role!) of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Pennsylvanians do need protection from pollution produced by big industries. We have a right under the Pennsylvania Constitution to clean air and water, but massive chemical companies ignore the rules.

We need the DEP to be the enforcer. I hope the Pennsylvania House hears us and rejects the Senate’s name and role change.

Bonnie Marron

Unity

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We should all be proud of who we are

It’s Pride Month, and LGBTQ people celebrate who they are — and rightfully so. Yet, they are shunned by many in communities all over in this country because they are “different.” We are all different, from the color of our skin to our religious beliefs. With the spewing of hatred and cruelty in our country, with domestic terrorism on the rise, we don’t need to worry about foreign threats.

No one should have to live in fear for their life. Whatever happened to being respectful and human dignity? No wonder many who may be “different” than you and I suffer from depression. (And that’s another topic — that could be you or I.)

We should all be PROUD of who we are, no matter who we are as human beings!

Marianne Rossi-Brown

Greensburg

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Kennedy’s vocal condition not a disqualifier for presidency

In regards to the letter “Biden and Kennedy are the best Democrats have?” (June 7, TribLIVE): Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a rare condition called spasmodic dysphonia that affects his voice. Spasmodic dysphonia, also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a lifelong neurologic disorder that causes the muscles that generate a person’s voice to go into periods of spasm. Kennedy’s grandmother also had this condition. I don’t think a shaky voice, especially if not the person’s fault, is a disqualifier for the presidency.

Richard Graham

Sheraden

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Respect our country and its treasures

People today, particularly the younger generations, think it’s OK to bastardize and modernize the documents that created this great nation. They think a modern rendition of the homage to our flag or a modernized version of the national anthem is OK, cute, creative, whatever you want to call it. Taking a knee at the national anthem is included in that farce.

Well, to an old soldier like me who risked his life for our nation, its flag and its history, it’s an unintended insult. As Jesus said on the cross, “Forgive them, Father, they know not what they do.” So many have died for this nation. Please respect our flag, our national anthem, our national treasures, our God by whose grace we exist, our laws, and especially each other.

Thomas S. Abraham

Unity