A4 WEATHERFORD DEMOCRAT | OCTOBER 13, 2020

THE FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of , or prohibit- ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of all the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for OPINION a redress of grievances.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The value of historic Remember this is the treasures city that voted to have a portion of a sales tax to Dear Editor: help fund restoration of As I read Ross Mullen’s the historic Baker Hotel. commentary in your The ongoing restoration weekend paper regard- of the Baker Hotel has ing the proposed spurred many changes environmental attack on and restorations in the historically registered downtown Mineral Wells Byron Farmstead for the East Loop Project, my eyes and these changes must were drawn to an article have required building on the next page. The permits and employed Mineral Wells City Council many workers. voted to approve funding How refreshing for local for the submission of an government officials to application for a Planning appreciate the value of our Grant for preservation historic treasures. of an historic building in Berta Pilkington the city of Mineral Wells. Weatherford

COMMENTARY

Let’s hear it for real COMMENTARY religious freedom “Staggering friendliness.” Loving America is more That’s how one reporter described his encounter with People of Praise, the apostolic community that than flying the flag Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and Starting last April, for just having a differ- killed more than 210,000 Many activists on the her family belong to. I’ve some mysterious reason, ent point of view makes Americans, and not left are only making it always heard wonder- I began receiving emails someone an America- telling us that it will “just worse. They’ve become ful things about Barrett, from President Trump’s hater. disappear like a miracle.” trapped in an echo knowing more than a few reelection campaign. I’ve But what does it Loving your country chamber of the like- GUEST COLUMN gotten a barrage of more actually mean to love is about wanting it to minded and can’t hear people who teach or have KATHRYN LOPEZ studied at the University of than 1,100 of them so far America? be better and leaving it how slogans like ‘defund Notre Dame, where Barrett for a purpose. This is what in less than six months. Loving our country is a better place than we the police’ make other attended school. Christianity is! All of these involve some not just about hanging found it. people feel threatened. And yet, I just finished Many on the left think kind of request for money a red, white and blue The respondent to Reform of policing in our reading a piece that used that religion is all fine and and many offer up spiffy flag on a front porch, or my column used this country is long overdue, the word “sinister” in good if it stays politely Trump merchandise for hugging one for televi- metaphor: “If I told my but no one is getting rid of association with People of within the confines of sale. My favorite so far is sion cameras. That’s wife that I love her dearly, the police. Praise. Evidently because Sunday morning, but that the personalized Trump easy. The but I hate everything One of the things that we no longer have the it becomes objectionable if doormat with my name was founded on a set of about her, she would I am grateful for, living capacity as a people to it dictates how you actually on it. noble promises, like “all know that I was either here in conservative But more striking, and men are created equal,” crazy or lying about recognize that there was live your life. We’ve seen western New York State, more important, is how promises we broke right loving her.” I’m sure a world before Margaret this in the Democrats’ is that I do not live in an almost all of them open from the start. Our coun- that’s the case, but it’s Atwood novels. The use suspicion and outright echo chamber of people with some capitalized try’s entire history has the wrong metaphor. If of the word “handmaid” hostility to Coney Barrett’s who all think like me. version of: “THE LEFT been about brave people you tell your teenage son now has to be about “The nomination. But we must I know people whose HATES AMERICA!! taking action, often at to put down the video Handmaid’s Tale” instead remember that real reli- politics are right wing, THEY HATE YOU!!” great cost, to demand games and pick up his of about the greatest of the gious freedom is not mere left wing, and no wing. This is a charge that those promises of math homework, that’s Christian apostles, Mary. freedom of worship — it’s And I know that we all repeated by Trump and equality and justice to be not hate, it’s love. The Some Catholics pray to the freedom to practice love America, even if we his supporters a lot these kept. If you don’t under- same is true if you have the mother of Jesus every your faith and live by its see it in different ways. days, in social media and stand that change is at a family member who evening. This is Christian- rules. Democracy, that most even in a recent letter to the heart of America then has an alcohol or drug ity 101. But many of us in So how do we untie the precious of our national the current culture never the editor in reply to one you really don’t under- problem and you press treasures, is supposed to knots? How do we live of my recent columns: stand what our country them to get help. And took that class. in this mess as people of be how we work out our Of course, I under- “Well, maybe that’s is about. As Thomas the same is true with the differences with respect, integrity, who live our faiths because when you give Jefferson (not an Amer- movements of 2020 that stand why Christian life in loudly in the world? We and move forward. practice can seem so exotic. the message that you ica-hater) wrote, “We are calling on America to The real danger of all form intentional communi- hate everything about might as well require a address our challenges as If you have no knowledge of ties, for one. this demonization of America, want to tear it man to wear still the coat a nation. other people is that it or experience of Christian- During the vice-presiden- down and rebuild it com- which fitted him when a I understand why eliminates our ability to ity, it may sound a lot like tial debate, Mike Pence was pletely different, that is a boy.” the chant of “They hate solve the hard problems fights over abortion, more right to call out Kamala an ideology or a political good indication.” So what are these America!” has such in front of us. In 2020 Harris on her grilling of a platform than a way of life. Calling people you radical leftist ideas on the power. Our country is the most loving thing of judicial nominee over his So I apologize on behalf of disagree with America- loose in 2020? changing quickly and all that we can do for our membership in the Knights some of us Christians who haters has a long history One is that everyone that change makes a lot country is to look for the of Columbus. There is an aren’t always overwhelm- in the United States. should be able to get of people uncomfortable. ways that we can work alarmingly mainstream ing the world with love, Abolitionists were called medical care if they are Gay people can marry. together. hostility to concrete faith. when that’s our mission! America-haters because sick. Another is that Black The nation is more President Lincoln That’s what we are seeing in There are the Sisters of they thought that black mothers and fathers diverse than it used to be. famously said in another the bewilderment about the Life, for instance. They people should not spend should not have to live Work is less secure than time of national division, Barrett family and People are wildly talented women their lives as slaves. Suf- in worry that their child it used to be. The young “A house divided against of Praise. Opus Dei, Com- who were doctors, nurses, fragettes were denounced will be shot and killed by have a different set of atti- itself cannot stand.” Nor munion and Liberation engineers, and at least as America-haters police for a broken tail tudes. People comfortable can a community, or a — there are many move- one astrophysicist and a because they thought that light. It is the demand with the old ways worry nation Columbia University psy- ments and ministries in the women should have the that we take action on that the country they chiatry professor. They Catholic faith, and Christi- right to vote. The Rev. climate change based knew is being replaced Jim Shultz is a resident of each have humbly and anity more broadly. These Martin Luther King Jr. on actual science and and Donald Trump has Lockport, New York, and the founder and executive director completely given their lives groups are about people was condemned as an not leave our children a made a political career choosing to walk together of the Democracy Center. Reach to Christ. They help women America-hater because decimated planet. It is by stoking those fears, him at jimshultz@democracyctr. considering abortions in faith. They show us the he had the audacity to call about dealing seriously denouncing as evil org. Follow him on Twitter @ to choose life, providing way. We need more, not for equal rights. To many, with a pandemic that has anyone who disagrees. jimshultz. assistance and even living fewer, people to quarters in some cases. truly living the Christian They also help women to life. If you don’t believe the heal after abortion. This dogma, there’s still some- SUBMITTING YOUR OPINION work has put them in the thing in it for you, from a societal standpoint. Stag- Opinions page disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this page are the opinions of forefront of the culture the authors or creators and do not necessarily reflect those of the Weatherford wars, even to the point of gering friendliness has its Democrat, its employees or its parent company, CNHI. While we do not intend to a lengthy court battle with benefits. offend anyone, we welcome diverse opinions within certain and reasonable standards the Obama administra- and guidelines and we encourage our readers to respond to opinions with which they Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior tion. Their weapons are the agree or disagree. The Democrat welcomes letters to the editor supporting candidates fellow at the in political races, items in upcoming city and county elections and local news. Letters virtues. They love. They Institute, editor-at-large of must be in good taste, and the Democrat reserves the right to edit letters for style, look at people with a bit of National Review magazine and grammar and taste. Letters may be no longer than 300 words and are subject to the love God has for them. author of the new book “A Year editing — letters that exceed the limit will be edited or rejected. Letters must be They know each man and With the Mystics: Visionary signed and include the author’s address and phone number for verification. No woman on the streets they Wisdom for Daily Living.” She is anonymous letters will be accepted. Letters critical of another’s religion, blasphemous, also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s obscene, legally objectionable or commercial in nature will not be published. Due to meet was made in the pro-life commission in New space restrictions, we cannot guarantee publication of letters. Submissions may be image and likeness of God, York. 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