Headline took God’s name in vain

You approved the use of the term “Zach Almighty” as the headline on the front page of the Sports section on Dec. 30. Many in our heavily Christian community recognize the term “God Almighty” as one of the names that the God of the Bible used for himself (Genesis 17:1).

In the third of his famous Ten Commandments, the Lord God commanded believers not take his name in vain (Exodus 20:7). In context, that means that those who revere God are not to use his name, or even allude to his name, in any way that fails to reflect the reverence that the creator, the almighty ruler and the ultimate judge of all living beings deserves.

Granted, many in our area have no problem with your headline. Did the Almighty? Well, does he, for man’s sake, work providentially to encourage people to revere him for both his omnipotence and his amazing grace? If so, could it be that the conspicuous failure of the quarterback to show himself mighty the next evening is deserving of sober reflection? Did you ask the young man if he welcomes such terminology as you used?

Why not have your sportswriters use their creativity within the parameters that show due respect for your many readers who revere the Almighty One?

Harvey Newton

Christian educator

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by Bighug - 30/01/2013

Christ is also God. Is referring to someone as "Christian" also using God's name in vain? Makes as much sense as the letter's claim.

2) Comment by twinkie1cat - 29/01/2013

I would not think using "almighty" next to an person's name is an insult to God. It just means they are the best of the best at what they do. In fact I have never heard that term complained about in any Christian community and I have been one for a very long time. However, placing a curse word next to God's name is an insult that I get people for on a regular basis, reminding them that God's last name is not "damn". I get really ill with that one. I also get peeved when Jesus's name is used as an expletive before the word "Christ". Then I say, "Yes, he is!"

3) Comment by billynurse - 29/01/2013

Thank God you're not in the middle east. Heads would literally roll.

4) Comment by JimmyD7 - 29/01/2013

@Firefly225: Of course Mr. Newton has a right to have and express his opinion. Nobody here has said otherwise. But that doesn't make him immune to response. He put his opinion out in public, and that makes it fair game. You seem to think that Christianity is somehow being singled out for some special kind of attack, when any logical analysis indicates the reverse. It is Mr. Newton, and you (to the extent you are defending him), that are being intolerant. You (pl) think Christianity seems to deserve some special deference that other religions don't get in out society, so much so that even using the word "almighty" should be taboo. RIght now, Christian groups have more political power in American then they've had in the last 300 years, and protections of individual religious freedom are as strong as they've ever been. Yet Christians want to play the victim, claim they are experiencing prejudice or abuse. This is delusional paranoia.

5) Comment by DMJ - 29/01/2013

It's sad when you can't tell if someone is being satirical or not because what they really think is just as silly as what people come up with when being satirical.

6) Comment by firefly225 - 29/01/2013

JimmyD7 - what I mean is when other groups (be it gays, Muslims, etc..) get offended by something, people always HAVE to stop and cater to them. Or else you're labeled intolerant, rascists, whatever. Why can't this man say something if it offends him? It should be a 2 way street but it's not, especially when it comes to Christianity. Yet we must be tolerant of every other whim, cult, and relgion. And while I'm Christian and read the same Bible as he, I don't even necessarily agree with his letter. But last I checked, he does have the right to express his opinions. Where's the tolerance???

7) Comment by comicref - 29/01/2013

****Comment Removed for Violation of Terms of Use****

8) Comment by 1ryben - 29/01/2013

Satire right? I mean really...this can't be serious. Either way, thanks for the laugh. And I'm waiting for both of the Hindu to riot soon.

9) Comment by DMJ - 29/01/2013

"Well, does he, for man’s sake, work providentially to encourage people to revere him for both his omnipotence and his amazing grace?" No. This is just something we tell children to scare them into behaving.

10) Comment by JimmyD7 - 29/01/2013

@Firefly225: What discrepancy? Most Louisianan's are sensible enough to recognize that "Zach Almighty" is NOT disrespectful toward Christianity, and that Mr. Newton was reaching far beyond any reasonable interpretation of scripture to claim that it is. And I seriously doubt there would be riots in the streets if Louisiana's small mintorities of Hindu's, Buddhists, or Jews felt disrespected by a newspaper.

11) Comment by firefly225 - 29/01/2013

swinham---here we go....If it was direspecting any other religion, there would be riots in the street and calls to remove the article and burn down The Advocate. Why the discrepancy when it comes to Christianity?

12) Comment by swinham - 29/01/2013

This is the first time I can remember agreeing with rgeraldwallace and his comment is funny as well! The other comments are also really good. I wonder when somebody who agrees with Mr. Newton will comment? Perhaps one of the Gloster protesters from the Bill Maher show Sunday will chime in. (P. S. I hope Maher will point out these people were from Mississippi when he talks about the protest on his show).

13) Comment by JimmyD7 - 29/01/2013

Is the letter-writer expressing his real opinion spoofing us? This is one of those cases where you can't tell the difference between reality and parody.

14) Comment by [e-mail] - 29/01/2013

This letter writer is stretching the bounds of incredulity; one might presume that such a letter was penned by some sort of snake handler.

15) Comment by SuzanneMS - 29/01/2013

Wonder how many voucher students he's "educating" this year.

16) Comment by potkcalb - 29/01/2013

Can someone please tell me if this letter is for real?

17) Comment by Bouncer - 29/01/2013

In the last line, the writer gives away his true reason for writing the letter. He's not really concerned about whether or not the phrase "Zach Almighty" offended God. He's grumbling because the phrase offended him and his religious sensibilities, which means that he wants everyone to know what a good Christian he is, which means he is guilty of vainglorious pride, which means he is a lapdog of Satan.

18) Comment by Bouncer - 29/01/2013

Great Caesar's Ghost! Holy Smoke! Bruce Almighty! OK...I guess that puts me on the fast track to hell. In another country, I can imagine Harvey wearing a keffiyeh, waving about a Koran, and searching out infidels.

19) Comment by Wallop - 29/01/2013

"Oh my god!" ? Bighug! You blasphemer!

20) Comment by Bighug - 29/01/2013

Oh my god! What a bunch of ***** I agree with gary and tradewinns.

21) Comment by gary - 29/01/2013

Harvey, as an educator you should have a little thicker skin - quit thumping on the bible - relax - go volunteer at a homeless shelter - your god will praise you for such work.

22) Comment by tradewinns - 28/01/2013

get over yourself already. your religion is not the only one in the world. just because you feel/believe one way does not make it law for the rest of us.