A reminder on gun safety

Re "Gun in bag a 'mistake' " (Page A1, Jan. 5): Assemblyman Tim Donnelly probably never took my hunter safety course, but if he did, I "goofed" if I certified him as gun-ready.

His problems started before the airport. Why did he have a loaded gun in his garage? Does he remember, "Loaded guns must be locked in a gun safe?" Donnelly admits that he had a loaded weapon stored in his garage, and he "hid it from his wife." How stupid is that? He endangered his wife, family and the neighbor kids.

I don't know about the charges, but I do know that Donnelly should be questioned – under oath – about other weapons, and where they are stored.

– William Fuhs, Acampo

Protect kids from firearms

So Assemblyman Tim Donnelly says he completely forgot about retrieving his weapon from his briefcase before going to the airport. Statistics can be disputed by those on either side of handgun ownership. What cannot be disputed, however, is the fact that household guns frequently contribute to children accidentally shooting themselves or others. Hopefully, Assemblyman Donnelly won't "forget" the location of his gun and jeopardize a child's life.

– Dennis Winger, Sacramento

Gay clergy undermine faith

Re "Message from pulpit should be of love, tolerance" (Viewpoints, Jan. 4): "Love the sinner, hate the sin," is not a modern concept created by evangelicals, but a philosophy much supported by the Biblical evidence of Christ's teachings and interactions. Homosexuals are welcome in all Christian churches, including my own Catholic church, though it would ask active homosexuals to not receive Communion, or serve as priests, lectors or lay ministers.

Christ's command to love one another did not abolish sin. The reality of sin, and our personal battle against it, is a hallmark of the Christian journey. To deny that sin is sin is to deny Christ, to undermine his teaching, and is in no way loving to the sinner. Ordaining homosexual clergy undermines Christianity, and does not uphold it.

The courageous majority of Fremont Presbyterian has begun to feel the persecution assured to true Christians by upholding this Christian truth.

– Timothy Desrochers, Roseville

Sins should be hated

The Lord Jesus Christ is God the son as part of the Trinity, so in a sense, Jesus was not silent on homosexuality. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

When it comes to "love the sinner, hate the sin," that's part of God's message. I don't know what William Endicott's beliefs are or what his faith is, but it might be a good idea for him in the future to do his homework before he writes another "Special to The Bee," and to avoid taking the Bible out of context.

– Darrell Northam, Woodland

Intolerance at Fremont

Thank you, William Endicott, for your enlightening article. Sharing the Rev. Penelope Duckworth's brochure was an excellent ending to your argument and rather poignant to offset the hatred expressed by the Rev. Donald Baird. My Catholic God uses the human form to show love, not hatred. Even if Baird hates sin, he carries hatred in his heart. I think Baird should focus on what Jesus did say as opposed to making up stuff to fill church pews.

– Joe Passarelli, Rancho Cordova

Follow the Golden Rule

May God bless William Endicott for calling out the pseudo-Christians who cherry-pick parts of the antiquated Old Testament to support their prejudicial views and who ignore the primary teachings of Jesus – to love one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

These are simple requests, but they are the heart and soul of true Christianity.

– Bob Petrauschke, Lincoln

Tolerance in ancient times

I do not understand why many evangelical Christians, who are to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, do not use his teachings. Instead they rely on Old Testament laws and some words of Paul, a New Testament non-contemporary of Jesus.

Most historians and scholars believe that homosexuality – and for that matter abortions – were very common and tolerated in ancient times and throughout history. It is only in our more "enlightened" era that we must cast out the sin and sinners so our clergy and politicians will make the world whole and safe.

– Annabelle Kenward, Sacramento

Equality is moral imperative

Re "Are we trying to get ahead, or just get even?" (Viewpoints, Jan. 3): Eric Hogue's attack on the Occupy movement and on a more equitable economy is moronic. It reiterates the cliché with which the plutocracy has so effectively brainwashed a large segment of the American population. Achieving a greater degree of economic equality is not a matter of "envy," "getting even," "class warfare" or "socialism." It is a moral imperative for a country that was once the land of opportunity and upward mobility, but which now has greater income inequality than any other Western country.

The Occupy people lack personal responsibility? Again, code words for the poor are lazy and irresponsible. If you are poor and unemployed, it's your own fault, right? My God, what reactionary hogwash!

– Tom Kando, Gold River

More tired talking points

Eric Hogue's article was pure poppycock. Please, no more on how low taxes for the rich creates jobs, or government regulations are strangling the economy or how raising taxes is class warfare. I don't think anyone is buying those old, tired, debunked talking points anymore. It wasn't envy or laziness that inspired the Occupy movement. It is time for Hogue to get educated on what has happened to the middle-class American Dream over the last 30 years. He just might join the protest.

– Marcy O'Day, Folsom

Stop occupying, get a job

The Occupy group seems to be mad at society because of the poor choices they have made in life. These "I'm entitled" people failed to work hard or fail to see a need to work hard in the future. I have reached a point in life where I have a six-figure income, but it wasn't always that way. I served my country, followed by returning to school four times to stay on top of things, and working every shift available. Today, I still don't own a smartphone; a simple cellphone will do. Don't have cable either; I own an old car, paid for.

Maybe these selfish people need to stop "occupying" and get off their duff and get to work.

– Liz Forsman, Sacramento

Proud member of 49 percent

I am sick and tired of the Occupy movement complaining about the 1 percent. I am one of the 49 percent – that's right, one of the 49 percent! That means that I am not one of the 1 percent, but am also not one of the 50 percent who work but pay zero in federal income tax.

Since these people are so vocal about paying more in taxes, here is a novel idea. Let's take the bottom 50 percent of wage earners who pay nothing and have them pay somewhere between 5 and 10 percent. I would be willing to wager that it would bring in far more money than taxing the rich.

– John Hein, Rancho Murieta

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