Dear Editor,

The inscription on the Liberty Bell says “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This is a direct quotation from the book of Leviticus in the Bible. Another place in the Bible that shows the virtues of liberty is 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

The founding fathers of our country realized the importance of liberty. Our Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The preamble to our U.S. Constitution lists six reasons for this document. The last reason is “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” The preamble to the Pennsylvania Constitution highlights liberty even more, as the full text of it demonstrates: “We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.”

Although the Bible teaches us to “be subject to the governing authorities,” we have the right in this country to choose our governing authorities in elections. Therefore, I urge all readers to exercise this right to vote for those people who value liberty and uphold our state and U.S. Constitutions. Secondly, follow the Biblical command to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Finally, show the Love of Christ to all people, whether or not they agree with you. One of my ancestors fought as a Hessian soldier with the British against the colonists in the American Revolution. However, after the war was over, he settled in Pennsylvania and I had the privilege to see his gravestone near an old church about 150 miles east of Warren.

May you all follow these words of Jesus in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Hollister McNeal,

Warren