DEAR EDITOR:

RE: Steve Marcinko letter, “Devil in details of today’s Democrats,” Jan. 30 MDJ

Mr. Marcinko states in his letter “These days you cannot be a Democrat and claim you are a Christian ... without being a hypocrite.” Wow! What power he ascribes to political parties; either the Democrats who have power to deny salvation or the Republicans who have power to grant salvation or both.

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Marcinko, not as a Democrat nor as a Republican nor as an independent, but as a Christian. In Jesus’ own word, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Can either political party grant eternal life? The God of Christianity can. Can either party bring peace to the world? Jesus Christ can. Did either party create the heavens and the earth? The God of Christianity did. Also, God has reserved to himself to determine who is a Christian.

It is foolish to presume we can determine anyone’s standing with God simply by knowing someone’s political affiliation. You see, Mr. Marcinko, God has his own idea about who is a Christian.

Joseph Ryals

Marietta