Creationism is not science, Sen. Kruse

State Sen. Dennis Kruse could not get his religious beliefs about creationism into the classroom the last time around via the Indiana General Assembly. Now he is at it again.

Simply put: Creationism is not science. Period. Therefore, it should not be taught as science or as possible science in a science classroom.

If Kruse wants to teach religion, it should be in history, philosophy, religion, or some other class. That might be OK, but not in or as science.

It might be OK if at the same time the creation stories from all other of the world’s religions besides Christianity are taught along side. This would include stories from American Indians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Aboriginal Australians and a multitude of other cultures.

Science is science. Religion is not science, no matter how it is twisted or from whence it comes.

Kent Blacklidge, Ph.D., Kokomo

Extending kindness by ‘Merry Christmas’

Humbug. That is the attitude of some people as they attempt to impose their negative attitudes on most of us who are just trying to promote goodwill and enjoy the season. Instead of allowing people to celebrate Christmas for what it is, they attempt to remove Christmas from public schools, stores and the public arena.

To all the good citizens attempting to extend to others the love of Christ during this time of the year, they say, “Humbug!”

Whether one chooses to believe the Christian faith or not, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. One of the great things about Christmas is that one need not believe in Christ to join the festivities. All are welcome to celebrate the Christmas season with or without a personal, saving relationship with the Savior.

Unfortunately, that does not satisfy some people, as they crusade to eliminate references to Jesus Christ altogether.

The truth is that without Christ’s Nativity, there would be no Christmas. No Christmas gifts to celebrate the gifts presented to the Christ child. No Christmas lights to celebrate God’s light casting out the darkness. No St. Nicholas whose Christian life gave rise to the legend of Santa Claus. No classic Christmas novel like “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

Just think of all that would be missing if we fail to greet one another with a Merry Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season, and because of that, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Charles A. Layne, Bunker Hill

Far-right intent on blaming poor

It’s a question intended to instill a feeling of guilt, if your income doesn’t come up to standards of those who feel successful or more intelligent: “Who owes the country more: the rich or the poor?”

Bad, poor people, living in America today, are seen by some as lazy or even criminal. You’re stealing from us, and the only way to relieve your guilt is to pay us more and live with less.

If the poor are so greedy and have stolen so much, why is all the wealth concentrated at the top? Why does the bottom 80 percent own just 5 percent of the financial wealth in America, while the top 20 percent owns 95 percent? Why should the poor be made to feel guilty for just surviving or exercising their democratic rights to stand up for themselves, while a few very wealthy individuals pay lobbyists millions to manipulate our democracy?

As a practical matter, other upper-income people, like Warren Buffett, feel they should contribute more because they are able. So why not let the wealthy pay an increased share that even they feel is fair?

It all seems to boil down to political ideology and gain. Who is willing to spin the truth to convince Americans to point the finger of guilt at the poor, away from those in power and responsible for our current economy and deficit, regardless of what’s best for the country?

Larry Brooks, Kokomo