Andrew Barnes knows Paul Hattan’s letter was “sarcastic”, but I still don’t think he “gets it.” Perhaps I can explain.

Paul Hattan’s intention was not to bash Christianity. The purpose was to comment on the plight of those who practice Falun Gong in China. It was about defending freedom of religion in America before our government takes a view like that of the Chinese government.

In Paul’s letter, he referred to Matthew 1:69 stating a rape/murder occurs every .83 seconds by a Christian. Of COURSE that’s not REALLY in the Bible! I haven’t read the entire book and even I know that. It showed how many people use Bible quotes to back up arguments as if they were scientific facts.

Hitler was indeed a Christian. He might not have been a very GOOD Christian, but he was one. Look it up.

And as far as the impossibility of being a non-Christian after being a Christian, that’s just silly. I met a young lady at a mosque in Chicago who grew up Catholic but was acting pretty Muslim when I met her. It may be hard to shed beliefs you have held for so long, but it is possible.

Andrew writes “when you write about a subject such as this, a person can take it the wrong way.”

Apparently, that’s just what you did. It’s great you took time to defend your beliefs. I wish more people did, but the point of Mr. Hattan’s letter was lost on you. If you don’t assume it is an insult to Christianity, you’ll find the true message in it.

Kevin Sullivan

Resident

Ames