Letter: Country’s divisiveness brings fear

A program aired during Holy Week on the Shroud of Turin. I was interested to learn that DNA testing on the shroud revealed the blood of a Middle Eastern male. While not absolute proof, the DNA results would add further credence that the shroud was the one used to wrap the crucified body of Christ.

Growing up, all images of Christ in our home, church, and Nativity scenes were of a Caucasian male. If Christ returned today in his earthly body for his second coming, would he be accepted and welcomed? Would he be allowed to enter this country? Would a Jewish male be rejected as 'anti-American filth”?

It is not enough to hold beliefs. Our Christian and American beliefs become values only through our action. One does not need to be a minority to feel fear or to weep at the uncivil, un-American divisiveness in our country in 2017. I am an old white German Catholic American who felt shame of my heritage growing up. Germany has found a way to stand with God by remembering the victims of the Nazi. I pray that we Americans who love God find the courage to remember the victims of slavery and racism and let white supremacists/neo-nazi/racists/KKK know that their Un-Godly beliefs are un-American.

Patricia Meier

Cedar Rapids