I wish to return “hope and change” to the Obama, Inc., Returns Department.

It has done the opposite of what the warranty implied, and I think it might be broken and beyond repair.

I know I am not happy with it.

I am going to vote in November to get my old product back: “American pride and exceptionalism.”

It was not a modernly progressive global product, but it worked just fine.

I was contented (and proud) to be an American, and it has a solid 200-plus-year track record.

Thanks, anyway.

Wiser than God?

The author of “Use your own brain” (June 18 letters to the editor) seems confused in thinking the total animation of man comes from the brain. That is incorrect, according to Scripture.

If we compare Scripture with the author’s letter, we see that he has portrayed himself wiser than God.

The Bible emphatically states God gave man a living soul. “Living” means having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul — the soul as being a moral being designed for everlasting life.

Therefore, if the soul has been designed for everlasting life, the continuation of the soul after death is definitely taught in the Bible.

All beings are animated; they have consciousness. However, consciousness is no mark of a living soul. The living soul that God gave man is one of personality existing with intelligence, mind, will, reason, individuality, self-consciousness, and self-determination. Mere consciousness is not enough; animals share this state of animation.

Nor is personality determination; animals share this, even though this determination is a result of influences from without. However, self-determination is the power by which man from an act of his own free will determines his acts from within.

Neither corporeality nor substance is necessarily involved in personality. There may be personality without either or both of these — that is to say, God.

ln regard to there being nowhere in the Bible that mentions an “immortal soul,” the Bible covers all areas of man’s being.

We can agree with the author’s statement that killing an unborn baby does not kill the soul or spirit, for they are eternal, according to the Bible. However, killing a human being apart from the death penalty (restitution for murder) is murder, based on the fact that the Giver of life is the only one with the authority to take it back. Exodus 20:13 says “Thou shalt not kill.” That verse needs no explanation.

Also, to say God wanted man to think for himself is correct. To make sure man thinks correctly, God gave him some absolutes in the Bible. These absolutes dictate how we interpret our relationship with humanity and God. Along with the interpretation of our relationships, we have principles that are not to be broken or obscured toward one another and God.

The author said one is an evil idiot who wants to make abortion illegal. For one to think he or she is smarter than God would have to be a fool, according to the Bible.

It is a very dangerous slope to believe and/or grant man the ability to decide who shall have life and who shall not have life.

The authority over one another’s ability to exist is only shared in the area of capital punishment, according to our Creator. Therefore, abortion is not only murder; it is against our Creator’s principles for our relationship to one another and Him.

Pastor Jerry Wayne Carter Slippery Rock Baptist Church