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Vol. 46. No.
32 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE October 24, 2003
Liberals and
Conservatives
Ellen Goodman, columnist for the
Boston Globe,
recently wrote an
article about acerbic radio talk-show host, Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh is
apparently fighting addiction to prescription drugs and has become fair game
for liberals. Goodman, a self-proclaimed liberal herself, discusses some
different perspectives toward Limbaugh and others in his plight. In the
article she contrasts the basic attitudinal differences of liberals and
conservatives:
"Conservatives
talk of right and wrong. Liberals talk of strengths and weaknesses. The
right thinks of drug abuse in particular as a moral failing; the left thinks
of it as a medical illness. "
Perhaps we need to clarify the terms. All conservatives and liberals are not
alike. There are political and social liberals and conservatives, and there
are ethical liberals and conservatives. My personal position on gun control
accords more with political liberals than conservatives, yet ethically I am
more to the right than many conservatives. My views on gun control are
pragmatic, but my moral values are shaped by my commitment to the teachings
of Jesus.
But back to Ellen Goodman's analysis. As a conservative Christian I believe
we must distinguish between right and wrong and identify sin as sin, not
merely human weakness that removes it from the ethical arena. We live in a
day in which the word "sin" has almost been abolished from the English
language. Yet, when we denounce sin, does that necessarily imply that in the
process we have become mean and judgmental toward those who do sin? I think
not. Standing up for moral values does not preclude a compassionate attitude
toward all people - liberals, conservatives, and sinners alike, especially
sinners because we all fall into that category. It has often been said, but
is still true, that we must hate sin, but love the sinner.
It is not the role of Christians to pronounce eternal judgment on others.
Judgment belongs to God alone. But it is our responsibility to identify sin.
Sometimes sin becomes addictive, but that fact does not remove it from the
realm of sin. Adultery may become addictive, but it is still wrong. Our
function as followers of Jesus is to help the addicted sinner overcome his
sin through the help that God provides.
__Monroe Hawley
The Bulletin Board
Church Mail-out
- In the next three weeks we will be mailing
20,000 brochures about Southside into our community. We anticipate a number
of visitors as a result.
Daylight Savings Time
ends Saturday. Come to worship an hour
later.
The Sick
- Carolyn Jones was recently hospitalized,
but is now home.
Twenty-six attended the Christian Workers
Meeting Tuesday.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two
years ago Last year Last week Goal
Bible classes
140 142 166 170
Morning worship
231 219 *220 250
Evening worship
56 68 81
80
Contribution
$4159.79 $3723.37 $3550.94 $4200.00
(*) first service, 146; second
service, 74
A children's program called Fall
Fest for those 12 and under will be Saturday, October 25, from 6:00 -
8:30 p.m.
A singing class began last Sunday and
will be held at 4:30 p.m. each Sunday until further notice. If you would
like to learn new hymns, join the class.
There will be a reception to welcome
Sandie Copass after the second worship on November 2nd at 12:30.
Sandie and Cliff were recently married.
Couples Connect Night
will be hosted by the Alexanders at their
home on Saturday, November 2nd from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Seethe bulletin board
to sign up.
Calendar of Events
October 25 - Ladies' seminar, Hampton Ave.
Church, 8:30 a.m.
October 25 - Fall Fest for those 12 and under,
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
November 8 - Couples Connect Night, 6:00 -
9:00 p.m.
November 9 - Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.
November 9 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.
November 15 - Senior Thanksgiving dinner,
12:30 p.m.
November 18 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00
a.m.
Someone With Skin On
A little girl was frightened by a storm as she
lay in her bedroom. She called to her father, asking him to come in and
comfort her. He told her to pray about it. A few minutes later she called
out again. He told her not to worry; God was with her. She replied, "I know
God is with me, but I need someone with skin on him."
We are like that sometimes. Although our ready
access to God in prayer comforts us, sometimes we need the assurance of a
listening ear, an understanding touch, a sympathetic nod. That is not a sign
of weakness, either. I believe that God designed us this way, and that he
provided the church so that we could comfort one another.
May we always be there when a brother or
sister needs "someone with skin on him!"
___ Selected
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