Opening Doors to Jehovah's Witnesses

Regarding “Ohio Village Closes Door To Jehovah's Witnesses” in the Jan. 3-9 edition, I wish to challenge most strongly Mayor Arthur Baldwin's position that the Witnesses be given door-to-door access in Waite Hill because they are “good people.” As a convert to Catholicism, I urge all Catholics and orthodox Christians to remember that because people are “good” or “nice” this should in no way supersede the importance of what we believe.

The Witnesses are a modern-day version of the ancient Arian heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. The great Fathers of the Church had no problem in naming heretics for what they were and neither should we, without apology. Because the Witnesses come across as very sincere and dedicated, as do many cults, people whose own faith foundation is poorly formed are extravulnerable to their come-ons. Be assured, the Witnesses are in no way interested in sincere, mutual ecumenical dialogue. Although they operate on the premise that they merely want to encourage people to “examine the Bible” their ultimate goal is that all those they solicit read their quirky New World Translation which completely denies the Trinity.

I would urge all believing Christians to check out the books and literature available at their local library concerning the beliefs and practices of the Witnesses and especially the life of their founder, Charles Taze Russell. I would further remind the orthodox Churches that the supreme goal of the Witnesses is to draw away as many Christians from the Churches as possible (especially Catholics, whom their literature consistently derides and caricatures as being part of the false system of “Christendom”).

As a committed Catholic, when the Witnesses come on my property, I will continue to politely but firmly close the door.

Christine Adryan

Brecksville, Ohio

Government Policies and Military Chaplains

Your article on Archbishop O'Brien and the military services (Register, Dec. 27– Jan. 2) is one of the best I've ever seen on this subject, especially about the role of the military chaplain and what current government policies are doing to military life, especially threatening the all-volunteer service.

Rev. Robert V. Goedert

Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.)