Repentance

In response to “Old-Fashioned Repentance Still Cleanses,” by Cal Thomas, Column Right, Nov. 4:

It’s not that TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart misused Christianity; on the contrary, he used it for exactly what everyone does, which is what it’s for--to serve as an out for doing whatever you feel like. Christian belief, by all evidence, has little effect on people’s actions.

The notion of “God” is merely a substitute for conscience, for thinking and for facing the unknown. Why does “God” allow cheap grace? Because there’s no other kind but accepting responsibility for our own actions. Religion is nothing more than an excuse. That’s why it’s so popular.

BARRY GRAY, Santa Monica