(In response to Pastor Justin Rumley’s letter: “Is There No King in Kewanee?”)
To the Editor:
America is about to observe the celebration of our divorce from a monarchy. We need no other “king” to guide us toward a more just and equitable society. What we do need are educated, thoughtful individuals committed to the principles of critical thinking, empathy and justice. It is these American values that will continue to propel our city forward, leaving behind the primitive myths of desert tribes and archaic dogma.
An example of these values is evidenced in the formation of the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations. As an advisory body to the City Council on Human Relations, the Commission strives to help the community by working as an outreach to community members and organizing events to raise awareness of the vast diversity that exists within our small community.
The acknowledgement of such diversity shows critical thinking, empathy and justice. The attempt to deny this diversity denotes a lack of moral clarity and the courage to accept the reality of life.
Denial of diversity appears to be centered on the belief that without a divine autocrat, society crumbles into chaos and immorality. Such a notion is not only absurd but is also an insult to the incredible progress that humanity has made through critical thinking and reason. No gods or kings have ever achieved what humans can accomplish when we unite to address our issues with rational thought, empathy and scientific inquiry.
The invocation of ancient texts as the ultimate moral compass conveniently ignores the barbaric and contradictory nature of many of these writings. I propose that we use our modern understanding and moral reasoning to filter out the archaic nonsense.
The claim that the human heart is deceitful ignores our capacity for empathy, compassion and understanding – qualities that have driven the most significant moral advancements in history. The abolition of slavery, the recognition of women’s rights, the acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and the scientific understanding of gender dysphoria – these are triumphs of the human spirit over the belief in narrow, rigid religious dogmas.
In America, a person has the freedom to wear whatever clothing that they wish – regardless of someone else’s belief in a religious dogma.
In America, puberty blockers are a medically endorsed treatment for gender dysphoria, based on extensive research and the consensus of experts – and because we live in America, any person has the freedom to receive this medically endorsed treatment, regardless of someone else’s belief in a religious dogma.
Kewanee needs no “king” to rescue us from some concocted threat based on belief in a religious dogma. We live in America, where critical thinking, empathy and healthy skepticism enables our city to progress. This progress will ideally overshadow the archaic dogma that often fuels a bigoted, misguided worldview.
Jeanette Gibson
Kewanee
Henry County for Equality
****The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of The Kewanee Voice.
