There’s no right not to be offended
On the heels of the slaughter in Paris in the name of religion, we are hearing that all religions must be respected. This necessarily assumes some intrinsic value to every faith, superseding human involvement and ending all debate. Unfortunately, there is no automatic entitlement to respect, and every single time, it has to be earned. However, entitlement is at the root of too many demands for respect.
Offended by a cross on a hilltop? Offended by a critic of a lifestyle? Offended by a cartoon? Get over it. Where is there a guarantee that any of us should be protected from offense? We have become a society so globally saturated with entitlements that we can’t imagine having hurt feelings without exacting revenge. Imagine if individuals, offended because others are offended, decide to act on their hurt feelings. Chaos. Entitlement extends to being offended, not retribution.
DENNIS E. MCGOWAN, SNELLVILLE
Obama should have marched in Paris
Speaking as a lifelong Democrat (which, in my case, runs over 80 years), I am embarrassed and appalled President Obama did not attend the march in Paris. Perhaps he views this as the “theater” of the job, but I would submit there is nothing in Mr. Obama’s job description that is more substantive and meaningful than standing shoulder to shoulder with his free world counterparts to show their (and his) opposition to the actions in Paris of a cabal of suicidal jihadists.
J. STANTON KING, ATLANTA
Is religious liberty for all faiths?
If Atlanta’s former fire chief truly believes in religious freedom, I would be more than willing to speak to him and his supporters about the principles of Buddhism any time. Or do they just believe in freedom of religion for their respective religion? In my modest opinion, I think they’re just projecting their own personal biases in the name of religion. Isn’t it good we don’t have a religion that bans ignorance? It would hate everybody.
DONALD VARN, CONYERS
King kids should read father’s Bible
Instead of feuding, Dr. King’s children should pick up his personal Bible that two of them are so anxious to sell. They should turn to the Second Book of Samuel, Chapters 13 through 18. Do they want Dr. King’s memory of love, respect, cooperation and humanity forever tarnished by their actions — just as biblical King David’s legacy is forever scarred by the actions of his sons Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah?
PAUL L. NEWMAN, MERION STATION, PA.
