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Spirit event brings concern
Dear Editor,
As President of the Youngsville Area Ministerium, I am writing to express the Ministerium's sincere concern regarding the recent Warren County Spirits & Whispers Para-Con 2026 event, held at Island Park in Youngsville on Sept. 19.
However benign the organizers may have intended this gathering to be, we are concerned that publicly promoting paranormal and occult-themed spirituality risks normalizing practices that Christians have long understood to be spiritually harmful. As pastors and lay leaders in the Youngsville family of churches, the Ministerium feels obliged to say plainly that these public invitations conflict with the message of love, forgiveness, and salvation in Jesus Christ that our churches proclaim each week through worship, small groups, Bible studies, and children's Sunday School. At the same time, we recognize that many who are drawn to such events may be sincerely searching for meaning, comfort, or hope.
For that reason, we believe Holy Scripture calls us to speak with both conviction and compassion. In Ephesians 5:11, Saint Paul writes, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." Likewise, Isaiah 8:19 asks, "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" These passages remind us that spiritual hunger should not be dismissed, but it should be directed toward the living God rather than toward those practices Scripture warns against.
Our intent is not to judge those who sponsored this event, nor to speak harshly of those who attended it. Our purpose is to point our community toward the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the better answer for those seeking hope, peace, and spiritual truth. If readers are truly searching for a voice beyond the grave that can change their lives, we invite them to consider the risen Jesus Christ, who conquered death and still speaks through His Word with grace, truth, and life.
The Rev. Jeffrey Canter,
Youngsville Area Ministerium
Jobs still elusive here
Dear Editor,
I’ve heard the same questions dozens of times over the last two years: “What does Warren County need? What is missing? What can we bring in to draw new residents?” Another restaurant won’t solve the population decline. Tourism is great, but expecting enough people to come here and stay is unrealistic.
At the end of the day, what Warren County needs are jobs that can sustain a family. Rent that doesn’t cost more than a mortgage payment. Sometimes I feel like there is so much emphasis on bringing in new people that we forget about creating a better tomorrow for the ones already here.
Fifteen years ago, we could live as a one-income household with a shop job. Now, most are lucky to fill their gas tank before next payday.
Christina Bingman,
Eldred Township
Beware of the power
Dear Editor,
It is a myth that Emperor Nero fiddled as Rome burned, but it is true President Donald Trump fantasizes about reflective pools and the size of arches, while the Middle East/Iran is experiencing the devastating burning effects of war.
The Bible's Acts 25:11-121 gives account of Nero's A.D. 54-68 rule. Remember Trump proudly held up the Bible containing Acts, appropriately upside down, in a staged photo shoot. Trump claims the Bible is his favorite book. You know the book with Chronicle Two, that he claims to "read regularly."
Nero blamed the Christians for Rome's fire. Justification for the building of his private palace The Golden House and for the persecution of the Christians. Nero had the Christians rounded up and put in an arena to fend off starving dogs and hungry lions. Other Christians had pitch poured over their bodies and set afire. Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified.
Trump campaigned on fear of those unlike you. Trump promised whatever to everyone. He gaslighted by getting people to doubt the facts and their beliefs. Trump's strong man approach appealed to enough voters to get him elected by the Electoral College.
Ruthlessly wielding power and with support of fellow believers in the all powerful Unitary Executive Authority, Trump gained total control of the Republican Party that controlled Congress.
Trump blames others and those who oppose him. He calls them criminals, Communists, Socialists, "horrible terrible people who should be put to death." Trump's words encouraged the near death of his Vice President.
Nero ordered his Mother executed. She was his tutor and was responsible for many of Nero's goods deeds early in his rule. He had his first wife murdered. His second wife while pregnant was kicked to death and he forced Seneca, his mentor, to commit suicide.
Trump alone ordered the unauthorized sucker bombing on Iran, killing many, including 100 schoolchildren. Trump has had three wives and his siblings dislike him and often say so. We also know Trump views suspected illegals as less than human, many have died in detention, many stripped from their families without due process, and shipped to God knows where.
The fiddle myth aside, Nero was one of history's most infamous rulers. Our would be Emperor President Trump and his regime ranks at the bottom of our Presidents, way, way down. Who would have thought.
Most of our ancestors migrated here to avoid kings and emperors and unrestrained dictators. Here they prospered because of our law based systems. Wave of immigrants after wave of immigrants, from all over the world, demonstrate the value of our divided political power and the necessity of accountability, based on law.
"Want to be emperor" Trump is testing our systems. We discovered our damaged systems, including immigration, need updated and after November, minus "our Nero" supporters, we can build anew, better and fairer than ever.
A final note: Nero committed suicide at age 30.
Don Scott,
North Warren