A biblical approach to solving problems

We live in an America that is riddled with crime. Lawmakers want us to believe their solutions are less guns, more police and more laws. These efforts are not working; just watch tonight's news or read tomorrow's Daily Herald.

The Bible has given us two specifics that would work. Jesus said that we should love our neighbors and treat others like we want to be treated. Lawmakers' efforts have failed, maybe it's time to try a biblical solution.

King Solomon, labeled the wisest person who ever lived, gave us a starting point. He said in Proverbs 22:6 that we should "train up our children in the way they should go and when they get older, they'll not depart from it." Sounds good, but how do we do this?

Well, let's begin with parents. The first line of learning is parents training their children. They learn early in their young lives, so it's not too soon to start. Some of us are beyond the child rearing stage, but our adult children aren't. Hopefully, we trained them well and now we can help train our grandchildren.

Training involves showing. Yes, being an example and role model, demonstrates these principles to your children. A parent's example goes a long way in teaching kids.

Yes, I know these are biblical principles and I know "separation of Church and State" is an issue, but the current attempts are failing. I'm confident that if you and I begin showing love to our neighbors, treat people like we want to be treated, and training our children, we may just see some changes in our communities, and it may even be contagious. The future of America depends on you and me.

Fred Dryden

Huntley