AN OPEN LETTER TO READERS OF THIS WEBSITE…………..
Following in my Father’s footsteps of not using the pulpit
to push a political party’s agenda, I never used a sermon to promote
politics. However, my Dad did preach
against sin in the nation and community, specifically, in the community, the
sin of alcohol abuse and drinking. It
was during a time when the local city council had before them a motion to allow
an ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) business to open up one block from the local
Elementary School. Previous to that, South Norfolk
Baptist Pastors, (as early as the pastorate of Rev. E.S. Pierce), previously
campaigned against the Liquor and Dance Hall "interests" in South
Norfolk. Other news articles indicated that the liquor crowd was not successful in extending the curfew for
selling beer after 11 pm in the city; this was due to Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.
and other ministers in South Norfolk, taking a strong stand against it.
Dad also gave spiritually Biblical
emphasis to major events that affected our nation, i.e., the Cuban Missile
Crisis, the gas shortage of the 1970s, the death of General MacArthur, the
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, to name a few. The sermons based on these and
other events, had great spiritual depth and were Biblically based.
Dad did support the obligation of U.S. citizens to vote in
elections, and given the state of our country at the present, I also think it
behooves every registered, legal citizen to vote in the upcoming Presidential
election.
The increase over the past
four years of the sinfulness prevalent in our country and lack of moral leadership, certainly demands our
attention and response. Especially concerning is the recent hate speech of one candidate for national office who is trying to liken another to Hitler and Fascism. This is over the top and wrong. The Bible says, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies." (Psalm 34:13). This verse serves as a straightforward reminder to guard our speech against evil and falsehood. It challenges us to be people of integrity, letting our words reflect the truth and righteousness of God.
When a candidate consciously chooses to use their tongue in a public venue, heard by millions of Americans, for good, and refrain from spreading lies or engage in deceit, they can demonstrate their commitment to honoring God in their speech. May those who are engaged in dishonest rhetoric come to see that their words should always be rooted in honesty and reflect the character of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The website
page, “Woke: The Decline of Christian America,” details this situation and is
well worth your time to peruse. Further, it highlights factual information from
overseas media and journalist sources who have been able to view, in a
non-partisan way, the state of our nation.
-J. Hughes
October 2024