Letters on presidential themes, witnessing, Islam and democracy, abortion

Recurring themes in presidential elections

In an attempt to provide context for the 2016 presidential election, some experts have likened it to a distant replay of 1968, with Donald Trump as Richard Nixon, Joe Biden as Hubert Humphrey, Hillary Clinton as Lyndon Johnson and Bernie Sanders as Eugene McCarthy. However, a glimpse at the theories of Duke University political scientist J.D. Barber may be more revealing.

In his 1972 classic, “The Presidential Character,” Barber identified four different presidential personality types – active-positive, active-negative, etc. A more telling portion of his 1980 book, “The Pulse of Politics,” established three recurring themes – conflict, conscience and conciliation – which he suggested repeated on a 12-year cycle.

For instance, the 1960 campaign of John F. Kennedy versus Nixon was very contentious. But later, in the aftermath of Kennedy’s assassination, the theme changed to conscience, and LBJ asked the country for an opportunity to fulfill the late president’s agenda. Four years later, Johnson was driven from office because of the Vietnam War. With the country in shambles, Nixon returned and promised the country he had a secret plan to end the war – in essence, fulfilling the conciliation mode.

Looking at 2008, 2012 and now 2016, conciliation is once again the theme. Could Donald Trump play the conciliator role?

Stop witnessing

The writer of “Trump’s ‘religion’” (Sept. 18 Letters to the Editor) said that people of faith feel “compelled to shared their faith” and witnessing is a “cornerstone of that faith.”

I quit using the word “faith” in any conversation, because it meant that this “compelled” witnessing was an excuse to cram that “faith” down my throat.

The writer went on to say Jesus “taught that humility, and treating everyone with dignity and respect, is the essence of the good life.”

I would appreciate it if those who have strongly held “faith” treated me with “dignity and respect” by withholding their presumption that I am in any need of their faith. My soul is secure. They can learn to respect me as myself and who I am, without further inquiry or pushiness.

They can show their humility and kindness by leaving the subject of their “faith” out of any discussion involving human interactions, except, of course, in their own chosen church.

Humility, kindness and respect would seem rather to call for silence.

Explain beliefs

Many Americans need clarification about Muslim beliefs and how they apply to government. More specifically, Americans need clarification about how these beliefs apply to democratic principles of government.

The American democratic principle of the separation of church and state has legal status in Article 6 of the Constitution (no religious test) and in the First Amendment (freedom of religion). Are there any non-Muslim government leaders in predominantly Muslim countries? Which predominantly Muslim nations have democratically elected representative forms of government with protection of the rights of minorities? Is Shariah law the equivalent of the Ten Commandments?

Non-Muslim Americans need accurate answers to many questions about Islam. Our fellow human beings who adhere to Islam should consider using forums such as this to educate us all.

And to avoid the appearance of just singling out Muslims, remove the words “Muslim” and “Islam” from this letter and replace them with the words “Christian” and “Christianity.” Also, reverse the position of “Shariah law” and the “Ten Commandments.” Now read again.

Regretting abortions

“Misleading claims” (Sept. 12 Letters to the Editor) attempted to justify abortion by citing a study saying that women do not suffer from psychological harm after their abortions, and that most women do not regret their abortions. But an August 2011 study, published by Britain’s Royal College of Psychiatrists, found that women who have abortions are 81 percent more likely to experience subsequent mental health problems. The greatest increases were seen in relation to suicidal behaviors and substance abuse.

The meta-analysis examined and combined results of 22 studies published between 1995 and 2009 and included data on 877,181 women from six countries. All 22 studies revealed higher rates of mental health problems associated with abortion for at least one symptom, and many for more than one symptom.

I invite anyone who still doesn’t believe to go to the websites of Silent No More or Priests for Life and read or view the testimonies of women who regret their abortions.

If you are a post-abortive woman or man, there is help. Rachel’s Vineyard is a great resource for women or men who are hurting from abortions. It provides weekend retreats to help with the healing process. For women who are pregnant and considering abortion, there are other alternatives with help available. I suggest you contact one of the many pregnancy crisis centers, such as a Better Choice or Choices Medical Clinic.

This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on presidential themes, witnessing, Islam and democracy, abortion."