Have the freedoms of the Declaration of Independence been forgotton?

Submitted by Misty M (Israel), Apr 25, 2006 at 05:21

Sir, I read your articles on Professor Hobbs in Nashville, Tennessee and the Belmont University firing of him in shock. Having been raised in the United States with a love for the freedoms listed very clearly in our Declaration of Independence (particularly spelled out in the Preamble of our Constitution), I could not but wonder where the "noble" character of this university Board of Trustees could be? Is it possible that a valued Professor, evidenced by Professor Hobb's being a respected member of the staff, could be so easily dismissed simply due to a few derogatory comments from the press?

If so, this decries the long tested opinion that a university education is worthwhile because one of its' inherent values is the character development of a unversity student while pursing his/her education. Certainly one would hope that a university would be of such a strong moral reputation that it would attract the attention of the press causing it, the press, to reconsider its' moral conduct. To have an added blow that this university calls itself a "Christian University" would cause the heart a double sorrow. The very name "Christian" would lead one to believe this university in its' core values is following the example of Jesus Christ. However, upon closer examination of the "teachings" from the Bible in the Book of Matthew 5:11-13, Jesus said, "Blessed and to be envied with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor regardless of the outward conditions are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kind of evil things against you falsely on My account. Be glad and joyful for your reward in heaven is great and strong for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. You (my followers and disciples) are the salt of the earth but if salt has lost its taste (strength of quality) how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men." This would indicate (which again bears witness in our very own Constitution) that not ALL men will agree but still, one is to be committed to the pursuit of "sharing" the TRUTH!

Lest anyone be deceived, I am an American born Jew living in the Middle East where I personally can attest that within the teachings of the Quran, there is NO grace given to "another faith". To be a devout follower of the Quran, one must persecute and/or violently speak out in order to preserve the ways of Islam. Results, constant conflict and zero tolerance here in the Middle East. Compare this to the teachings of Jesus, Matthew 5:43-48, "You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; but I (Jesus Christ) say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, to show that you are the childen of your Father (GOD) Who is in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers alike. You therefore, must be growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the height of virture and integrity as your heaven Father is perfect (whole in virture and integrity)." (Amplified Bible)

In conclusion, it would appear that the Belmont University has failed Professor Hobbs and is NOT following the command of Jesus Christ to stand for TRUTH and be willing to suffer for His (Jesus Christ) sake. Perhaps they would do well to revisit Matthew 5 to understand just what their mandate really is!!

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