After receiving a letter denouncing the opinions expressed in this weekly column, I thought about writing of something other than the moral issues we face in this nation.

As I sat staring at a blank &uot;Word&uot; page on my computer, I came to the realization that there are many, many &uot;brainier&uot; persons than I who are out there expressing thoughts on the political and social issues of the day. I feel that I need to stick to what I know best.

The letter I received indicated that I was overstepping in writing about these things, however; I take the information I present to you from the Word of God. They are my words on paper, but my ideals and ideas are taken from the Bible. To me, and millions of authentic –

not atheistic –

Christians, the Bible contains the authoritative, indisputable Words of God and those same people who do not believe will someday stand before God and be convicted by the very words they denied.

As for my expressing such opinions in this column; it is the right of every American to communicate their convictions and opinions and the last time I checked publications from as large as the New York Times to the Wartburg Trumpet, writers use print media everyday to get their opinions across. Now, do not jump to the conclusion that I classify my opinions as important as those articulated in major publications like the L.A. Times, but I am encouraged by the fact that I receive calls, letters, faxes and emails supporting the thoughts conveyed in my columns. You as my readers also have the right to publication of any and all letters to the editor stating your personal beliefs and thoughts.

As for the &uot;One nation under God,&uot; issue – The North Carolina Supreme Court handed down a ruling nullifying an attempt by District Court Judge James M. Honeycutt to use a more secular oath by removing references to God.

The decision is considered a major victory in North Carolina since it came from the Supreme Court.

The judge began his efforts to remove the phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance by issuing a letter to court clerks and officers, stating that the normal wording of the oath was &uot;insensitive to those who didn’t believe in God or the Christian Bible.&uot;

Court officers rebelled, refusing to accept the judge’s decision and he then took it upon himself to begin swearing in people in his court.

This is just another example of someone trying to take the law into their own hands. Thank God for those clerks of court and court officials who had the moral fiber to stand for their beliefs and the true and living God. Would you have the courage to stand up and refuse to honor God? Over in the nation of Skri Lanka this week, Christians were slaughtered simply because they chose to profess the name of Jesus. How would I handle that choice?