LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Brooks’ vision not a sure thing

12/17/2013

A new economy in which 15 percent of the population thrives and the rest of us are left behind is an unstable dystopia, which op-ed columnist David Brooks recognizes (“Future thinking: Mental styles for the new economy,” Dec. 11).

Among the mental types he believes will thrive in this coming society are moralizers and economizers. These people will help the unfortunate 85 percent accept their diminished lot.

Why should the 85 percent buy into this vision of the future? Mr. Brooks is merely speaking for the ruling elites by representing this outcome as historically inevitable.

It is not. We can do better.

FRANK McELHANNON
Sylvania Township

Yoga history put in perspective
Your Dec. 7 article “Yoga: Nothing to fear; Like prayer and fasting, it’s a spiritual practice” erroneously said that “yoga movements were created 5,000 years ago before Hindus used them in a religious way.”

The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit “yuj”’(to yoke), meaning to create a bond between individual consciousness — the soul — and universal consciousness — the spirit. This physical, mental, and spiritual practice of yogic discipline originated in ancient India.

Some yogic practices were undertaken by Buddhism and later spread to Far East countries such as China and Japan. The West was introduced to some aspects of yoga by Swami Vivekananda in 1893 during the Parliament of Religions conference in Chicago.

Yoga can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of his or her faith. I am a retired physician and a practicing Hindu with basic knowledge of various forms of yoga. I just want to place yoga’s history in its true perspective.

OM SHARMA
Sylvania Township

 

‘Rev.’ nice; titles unnecessary
Congratulations to Blade religion editor TK Barger on his ordination as a minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church (“With due reverence,” commentary, Dec. 7). But with all due respect to Reverend Barger, when will such men realize that religious titles do nothing to advance the cause of Christ?

That’s why Jesus commanded his disciples not to set themselves apart with titles of merit and religious dress. Those things impress the immature and gullible.

As servants of the Word, we are called, humbly and fearfully, to present the way of salvation in its purest form. No bells. No whistles.

DON GOZDOWSKI
Franklin Avenue

 

Buckeye backed on Sinclair stand
I applaud Buckeye CableSystem for standing its ground against Sinclair Broadcast Group and refusing Sinclair’s unreasonable demand for an almost tenfold increase in WNWO-TV, Channel 24 retransmission fees ("Buckeye forced to drop WNWO, Ch. 24; consent contract expires; negotiations ongoing with station’s new owner," Dec. 16).

People will find other options to view NBC network programming. Stand your ground, Buckeye. This subscriber is with you.

JIM WEBER
Sylvania