To the Editor:
Regarding David French’s “The Day My Old Church Canceled Me” (June 10 column):
“Mr. French’s account of the day he was expelled from the church speaks volumes about the extreme polarization of our society. What has happened to the right to think differently, to express dissenting opinions, and to engage in rational debate? I am stunned.”
I have lost the faith I once had in our institutions and their leaders, both religions and governments, to truly listen and help us all find compromises and move forward as one nation (under God or otherwise).
Finally, our last refuge, the Supreme Court, has let us down, especially its justices. Who or what will stop us and the free world from going off a cliff? I remember Thomas Jefferson teaching that the government we choose will be the government we want. As November approaches, I fear for the future.
William Titelman
Athens, Greece
The author is a U.S. citizen and a retired lawyer.
To the Editor:
As an atheist, I enjoy reading David French’s thoughtful columns, even though I don’t always agree with his opinions. He has taught me to be open-minded toward people I might perceive as political opponents. So, I was heartbroken when I read his recent article about the attacks and abandonment his family experienced at their former church.
I live in a bubble. I don’t think I would spend time with people who are intentionally racist and cruel. As someone who spent Sundays as a child in church hearing about how Jesus loved children and cared about the poor and downtrodden, I have been baffled by the behavior of many people who call themselves Christians.
The members of his old church, who treated Mr. French’s family so badly, would do the same if Jesus walked into their midst. They are no more Christians than the Roman soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross.
I don’t know if Mr. French can teach me how to open up to such people.
Barbara Bart
Athens, Georgia
To the Editor:
My story is similar to that of David French: My parents were founding members of the Southwestern Presbyterian Church, and my best friends growing up were the children of other founding families.
I have been living apart for 30 years now and it always hurts in my heart that we can no longer share heart to heart and I have to control my words and reactions when interacting with them so as not to cause angry disagreements or negative reactions. I will always not talk about our differences because I love them but that is more important than winning any religious or political argument.
Like Mr. French, I adopted a child from overseas. She was encouraged to be baptized in the church her grandparents helped found. The elders cited rules as a reason not to allow baptism, but did not offer a commitment, baptism, or other alternative. These were some of my best friends growing up.
As division grows in America, especially in Bible-based churches, I want to understand how our actions and shared understandings have strayed so far from blessing that we are free to use language of rejection and hatred toward one another.
Suan A. Strickland
Yorktown, Virginia
To the Editor:
I am saddened to read that Christians are filled with hate. As a follower of Christ, I believe it is not my job to condemn. Although our politics differ, on many points I am in full agreement with David French. David, I welcome you into my home and church.
Cathy Dohm
Briarfield, Alabama
Radical Supreme Court
To the Editor:
Regarding “Supreme Court Rejects Trump Administration’s Ban on Gun Bump Stocks” (nytimes.com, June 14), a ruling on a device that allows a crazed person to rapidly fire hundreds of bullets into a crowd:
The extreme and unrealistic positions on reproductive freedom, the flagrant ethical violations by an organization that clearly has no self-control, and now the repeal of the bump stock ban in the midst of a civil war, present us with a Supreme Court that should be expanded as soon as a majority in Congress allows it.
The option of destroying the very structure of the nation and waiting for it to wear out is no longer an option.
Larry Robert
Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Biden’s “failed candidacy”
To the Editor:
Regarding the June 12 column, “America Needs These Three Big Wins”:
Bret Stephens said President Biden could leave a “legacy of courage, honor and change” by choosing not to run and handing the reins to another Democrat who can win. I agree.
Biden has trailed in the polls in recent months, while Donald Trump has tended to outperform him, making it difficult for him to turn things around at this point.
Finding a replacement will no doubt be a tough task, but Democrats have a number of energetic young hopefuls, many of whom are untainted by the taint of Washington, such as successful incumbent governors Gavin Newsom, Jared Polis, Josh Shapiro and Gretchen Whitmer.
Now imagine the excitement that such a scenario would generate: The weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention in August would be filled with television and newspaper coverage of the various candidates, and the convention itself, with its potential multiple votes, would make must-see television, with the added benefit of keeping Trump off the front page.
As it stands, the Democratic Party is fighting a losing battle. It may be dangerous to make a change, but it is even more dangerous to continue with candidates who are likely to fail. Please, Joe, do the right thing. It’s not too late.
Henry von Cohorn
Princeton, New Jersey
Support after leaving prison
To the Editor:
About “Erasing the Prisoner’s Coat with a Suit” (Sunday Styles, June 2):
Thank you for your article about Bindle & Keep, a Brooklyn suit maker that makes custom suits for people who have been exonerated. The challenges faced by people trying to rebuild their lives after years in prison are extreme, regardless of whether they were innocent.
People face prejudice and barriers in many areas, including housing, employment, education, healthcare and mental health. There are also obstacles for those released from incarceration as they try to repair relationships with communities and families that have been shattered by years spent in prison. Increasing self-esteem and aspirations by helping people look and feel good is a commendable project and I salute Bindle & Keep.
But I think as a society we can do better. First, while services for ex-prisoners are easier to justify if they are in fact innocent, we also need services for people who actually committed crimes and served time in prison.
Second, an ethic of care for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people involves a reevaluation of public safety as it is currently enacted.
Third, as formerly incarcerated people become our neighbors, we need to intervene in the vicious cycles that lead people to prison in the first place. Fulfilling such an obligation will require structural reforms at all levels, working alongside, but not solely relying on, the good efforts of individuals.
Muneesha Gelman
Boston
The author is director of the Emerson Prison Initiative.
