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6A Daily News – Saturday, October 20, 2012 Opinion Protestant decline: Forever versus whatever DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer's home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Someday I may be bitterly dis- appointed at the results of my efforts. Someday society might race the statute of limitations to charge me with child abuse. But I persist. I speak of carrying my son Gideon (age eight) to church, reminding him to say his prayers and helping him prepare his Sun- day school lesson. The uncertainty arises because of the results of a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, revealing that for the first time in its history, the United States does not have a Protestant majority. (Some Protestants have pledged an incremental response to the decline. Others overreacted with, "This calls for desperate measures! We need a Hail Mary pass. Well, um, er…maybe a 'How's it goin', Billy Graham?' pass.") The Protestant decline comes not from a sudden upswing in Catholic citizens but from the Americans who say they have no religious affiliation at all. (This group, dubbed the "nones," has increased from 15 percent of the adult population to 20 percent in just the last five years. One-third of adults under age 30 are uncommit- ted, often citing their religious affiliation as "nothing in particu- lar.") Welcome to 2012. We can cat- alog our music collections out the yin yang and mercilessly over- book our kids with extracurricular activities, but somehow the idea of (ugh!) organized religion is repug- nant. I have friends and associates who are forthright atheists and agnostics, but I have a hard time wrapping my unenlightened mind around the fence-straddlers who fancy themselves as "spiritual but not religious." Hmmm…so people who like to "sleep in," people who like to spend Sundays at the stadi- um and people who don't like heavy reading miraculously stum- ble upon a spiritual regimen that resonates with them, meets their needs and pleases A Vague High- er Power To Be Named Later. As Dana Carvey's Church Lady might say, "How conveeeeee- nient!" many good people sin- cerely pursuing the "spirituality in nature" route, but for others it must be a handy cop- out. ("Okay, that speck- led salamander over there didn't exactly die for my sins like the Son of Man, but his tongue can catch flies like a son of a gun!") I'm sure there are when people tell "A priest, a rabbi and a min- ister walk into a bar" jokes, a career bureau- crat will have to be on hand to explain what a priest, a rabbi and a min- ister ARE. the Pew results have been met with "elation" by atheists and others in the secularist movement, who see a steadily growing body of "fellow travelers" to help them reshape the social/political landscape. Most of the talk has centered on the "nones" and their overwhelm- ing support for the Democratic Party and liberal issues such as gay marriage and abortion rights, but I can see the real agenda. The secu- larist leaders want to increase our dependence on government; someday sooner than you think, According to CNN, Danny Tyree worry about self-deluded individ- uals who could face Judgment Day crying "What are you going to do to save me from eternal pun- ishment?" and receiving a boom- ing reply of "Nothing in particu- lar." perceived snarkiness, but the words "fool's paradise" really do pop into my head when pon- dering the freelance spiritualists who miss out on the intangible benefits of group mem- bership. I sincerely Please pardon any Danny Tyree welcomes reader e-mail responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his Facebook fan page "Tyree's Tyrades." Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Lasting memories of friends Commentary We have been experiencing a feeling of loss lately. A travel- ing companion and two old friends have passed away, and we find this a time for grief and renewal. We were in Wisconsin when we learned of the death of George Russell. Our whole fam- ily has fond memories of George. For me he was a mentor and friend; for both of us he was a gentle and humorous friend who made playing bridge fun. Our children enjoyed his jokes and inviting smile. George always had tasteful jokes and riddles that pleased both adults and children. One of George's favorite sto- ries he often repeated to us was about a time he was a guest at our house for dinner. After he had told several stories and made us all laugh, my daughter asked him: "Why is Helen Keller's cane yellow?" George smiled and repeated the question back to my seven year old daughter. She gleefully replied, "Because her dog is blind too." My daughter's eyes brightened even more as he laughed. He most recently repeated that story when he vis- ited us to obtain our signatures on his petition for election this last spring. My younger son then asked, "What do they do when it rains in San Francisco?" asked the same question back. Unable to suppress a silly laugh, my son replied, "They let it rain." George never looked hap- pier. Feigning ignorance, George seemed to maintain the perspec- tive that in the long run all would work out. I had been the designated sacrificial lamb to debate against Proposition 13 with Craig Povey throughout the county. George commiserat- ed with me, knowing that I was representing a losing cause. After the election he told me that things would work out. When I went to Gerber School he and I would meet for coffee every so often; usually I could share with him things I didn't feel comfortable about. He would rephrase the issues so they made sense to me, and I often was able to make good decisions about whatever we talked about. George had a calming effect. Before he had to worry about diabetes, George had quite a sweet tooth. Our meeting for coffee always depended on whichever place had the best sweet rolls. In spite of the sugar and the coffee I always left more relaxed than when I arrived. When my older son expressed an interest in golf, George asked his son to give him some lessons; like his father, George's son was a good teacher who help my son learn the intricacies of the golf swing. On the golf course George along with him because that person had excellent vision. The golfer stepped to the tee and walloped the ball well out of his field of vision. After taking a satisfactory breath, he asked his elderly com- panion, "Did you see where that went?" He replied, "Sure did." Feeling comfort- able with himself, the golfer then asked, "Where did it go?" "I can't remember," his companion replied. The other dear friend we lost early this week was Dorothy Lindauer. We George and I would have cof- fee from time to time when I worked at the Red Bluff High School District; we talked school politics, and he always was always a pleasant compan- ion; his swing was not picture perfect and his scores varied, but he never seemed upset with either himself or the random- ness of a bounce. He was encouraging to those of us who played less often, and of course, he always had a story to tell. One I remember is about the man who was having vision problems and couldn't see his ball after the first few yards. He decided to bring an elderly man fortunate enough to see Dorothy on the evening before she passed away; she was in good spirits but also in great pain. Dorothy and Ken were the first people to invite us out socially when we moved here in 1973. For over 30 years the four of us have ventured to Ashland in September for a weekend to enjoy the plays and restaurants. They both joined us on our sojourn to Egypt in 2010. Dorothy was a champion of the underdog, the homeless, the poor, and the downtrodden. She was the "anonymous" donor for numerous organizations and events. Red Bluff will miss her energy, drive, and caring. She was always curious about a wide range of things, from geology to French. We have a picture of her with a lemur on her shoulder, taken when she visited Mada- gascar with her sister. She and Ken and the two of us would often talk politics, and Ken was usually a minority of one. I am sure the memorial ser- vice today will be well attended. were Joe We also lost another of our Egyptian traveling companions. Barbara was from Detroit, and she had just attended the wedding of her only daughter before her heart gave out. She and her husband, Tony, founded a school for underprivileged youth in Detroit; the academy, as they called it, had an almost 100 percent rate of graduating students going on to college. The three friends we lost have made a positive impact on our world. Harrop These times of loss are part of life, but being philosophical about them does not diminish the grief and sadness. My wife says these kinds of times teach us that we, the living, have to relish each day, embracing the present, and make each day count. She is right, of course. At times like this I remember quotations from two disparate people. The Buddha said, "To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent." Mark Twain said, "The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." We will miss George, Dorothy, and Barbara, but we will cherish their friendship, remember them with love, and try to build on what they have contributed to our lives. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net.