
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 22, 1993                   TAG: 9401140028
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

STOP FLOW OF NATION'S RED INK

I READ with interest and concern the question in Ray Reed's Dec. 14 ``What's On Your Mind?'' column relating to the national debt and the sign located at Jefferson Street and Campbell Avenue. George Cartledge and John W. Hancock, retired business executives, should be commended for their actions in sponsoring the sign.

The matter of the national debt and its rate of increase are of great concern to me, and should be to every citizen of the United States.

Our Virginia senators have both informed me by letter that they're co-sponsors of Senate Joint Resolution 41 calling for a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. According to the National Taxpayers Union, President Clinton is opposed to this resolution. The fact that there has only been one budget surplus in more than 30 years is good indication that our officials in Washington aren't going to balance the budget unless they're required to do so.

It's a well-known fact that no individual, no company, no organization and, yes, no country can continue to operate in the red indefinitely and still exist.

MARVIN A. LAWRENCE

BLACKSBURG

Child's welfare isn't sacrificed

THE NOV. 28 Associated Press article, ``States override religion,'' leaves the reader with many misconceptions. Yes, the state is moving to override parents' right to heal their children through the proven power of prayer. That this aggressive intrusion is simply on behalf of sick children is contestable. It comes of an unwillingness to acknowledge the efficacy of spiritual healing.

Christian Scientists do not put religious doctrine above a child's welfare, entertain the absurd notion of dying for their religion, or fear that their church will intervene in their health decisions. They insist that intelligent parents can safely decide what's best for their children.

Hawaii has removed religious provisions in its child-neglect laws. Attempts in other states have failed. That protection was included by knowledgeable legislators who recognized the importance of preserving the freedom of choice. Those provisions in no way excuse Christian Scientists from providing proper care.

This entire issue affects everyone who cherishes religious freedom as he cherishes his children. The Minneapolis civil suit assumed the parents' guilt, even though they had already been vindicated by the Minnesota criminal courts. Ramifications of this decision extend to other religions. It punishes caring parents and an established church for their faith in biblical truth.

Christian Scientists love their children and give them the best treatment and care they believe through experience is available. If they are denied choice of treatment, a medical monopoly will follow and no one will have a choice.

JAMES R. CORBETT

Christian Science

Committee on Publication for Virginia

RICHMOND

Girls aren't given a choice

REGARDING the Dec. 6 letter to the editor by Randy Vaughan, ``Take `choice' out of responsibility'':

It's not the pregnancy of the teen-agers that's the problem. It's the birth and raising of their children. Many children are born to teen-agers every year, so obviously they're not using abortion as a form of birth control. And abolishing it would solve nothing.

Women cannot ``choose'' not to bear the responsibility of their actions. Whether or not they bear the child, there are responsibilities. Abortions are not that simple! One doesn't simply walk in, have an abortion and walk out.

Men can ``choose'' to have sex, and then walk away. Women, however, are either responsible for nine months of pregnancy and a lifetime of commitment, or they're responsible for having an abortion and all the emotions that go along with it.

If you want an end to teen pregnancy, you'll start with the cause and not try to stifle the effect. Several things that would greatly reduce teen pregnancy are:

Instituting more sex education in school.