Bible museum will foster faith debate
The family that owns Hobby Lobby will be doing the evolution of religion a big favor when it builds its planned Bible museum in Washington, D.C.. (“Hobby Lobby tied to Bible museum,” News, July 21). Contrary to their beliefs, the Bible is not meant to be taken literally. It is a book full of myth and poetry and some facts, that tells the story of the Jewish people’s attempt — and later, Gentiles also — to understand and relate to the mystery of the divine. To focus on the Bible as a historical document is to miss the deeper wisdom and possibilities for transformation that it offers. By making explicit their view in such a frankly flamboyant way, they will be creating the juxtaposition with reality that will stir up the contradictions necessary to move things forward.
DARBY CHRISTOPHER, DUNWOODY
Build roundabouts in metro Atlanta
While traveling in southern France a few weeks ago, I noticed roundabouts everywhere. Whether it was where two lanes of traffic met or six lanes, all the traffic moved so smoothly. I’m sure they’re a lot cheaper than traffic lights. I know there are a few being built in the Atlanta area, but I wonder, why not more? Once a driver understands that you yield to those already in the circle, the drive is so much easier.
CAROL BACHRACH, MILTON
Stop overuse of livestock antibiotics
The World Health Organization recently warned that due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, these critical medicines are losing their effectiveness. That is truly scary. It would mean common infections could be deadly and the loss of our best defense against many common illnesses. We need to start doing all we can to stop the overuse of antibiotics, and the best first step we can take is to limit their use on factory farms.
Up to 80 percent of all antibiotics in the U.S. are sold for livestock, not people. Often, these antibiotics are mixed into the feed of healthy animals to make them grow fatter and faster. When bacteria are exposed to these antibiotics, they develop resistance. The resulting infections can withstand even our most powerful medicines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23,000 people die every year from antibiotic-resistant infections. President Barack Obama should not wait another day to protect public health. Ban the misuse of antibiotics on factory farms.
MORGAN LANE, MARIETTA
