Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 26, 1993 TAG: 9307260312
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Certainly, in the long pull, God's will of peace on Earth will prevail. But it has plainly become a serious question as to whether the human race will survive to enjoy it.
To give our kind the best chance to do so, we need desperately for those in positions of real authority to recognize and accept their moral, political and economic responsibilities. We are, like it or not, our brother's keeper. That's the only basis on which a cohesive, safe, tranquil society can be maintained.
I saw it demonstrated in my own small town of Altavista. Those who figuratively sign the most paychecks can and will have the greatest and most immediate influence over the public behavior of their community, far more powerfully than the institutional church of our day. Most individuals in business-leadership positions fail to recognize, or refuse to accept, the truth in the principle expressed clearly in the Gospels: "To whomsoever much is given, of him will be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
If Roanoke's business leaders made it known that anyone on their payroll found to be persistently scoffing at the laws would soon cease to hold their jobs and paychecks, Roanoke would be astounded at how soon this and other moral problems that plague our community would sharply diminish.
Are most of those to whom much has been given willing to accept the fact that their responsibilities include the moral areas, as well as those of profit and personal gain? EDWARD H. LANE JR. BLACKSBURG
by CNB