LETTERS: CONCERNED ABOUT `MINOR' DIFFERENCES

To the editor:

As a 15-year-old girl, I became deeply concerned when I read the article, "Clinton welcome will linger," by Walter R. Mears (of The Associated Press) in the June 27 paper. One cause for my alarm was this statement: "`As China and the United States have different social systems, ideologies, values and cultural traditions, we have some difference of views on certain issues,' said Jiang in explaining why it was so easy for Clinton and him to agree to disagree."

China and America do not have minor differences on which we can agree to disagree. China believes many things which are absolutely contrary to the values that people in the United States still hold dear.

In this world there are many times when we must give and take, agree to disagree. One example would be the correct way to eat an Oreo cookie. Nevertheless, when it comes down to issues of human life, there is no room left to agree to disagree. China's communist leaders consistently disregard the preciousness of life in countless ways. The tragedy of Tiananmen Square cannot be ignored. You may say that it happened several years ago and is history. I would agree with you, except that President Jiang continues to resolutely defend the Chinese government's actions. We, as the people of the United States, should not be guilty of closing our eyes to the situation in China. President Jiang has no remorse for what happened, and I believe he is continuing to follow his cruel policies against human life. Forced abortions and infanticide, persecution and murder for those with opinions of religion and government that do not agree with the communists are just a few to consider.

Although President Clinton says he went to China to encourage free democracy, I do not believe he has accomplished his goal. As I mentioned before, the Chinese government has shown no remorse, and President Clinton's visit to Tiananmen Square has only condoned the action. If we preach a gospel of free democracy proclaiming that China's policies are wrong and continue to be buddy-buddy with them as though nothing is wrong, are we not guilty of hypocrisy? Are we not showing the whole world that it does not really matter how a country treats its citizens as long as the economy and trade are advantageous to the United States?

Are we, the leader of the Free World, afraid to stand against China and its tyrants just as England was initially afraid to stand against the fledgling Nazi movement which was fueled by its propaganda? The principle is the same. Will the United States agree to disagree over China's human-rights issues? Or will we, the people, stand for what is true and right? This may mean we will not benefit from China's trade but will do whatever is necessary to show the world that America truly stands for freedom, no matter what the consequences. I must ask each and every one of you not to agree to disagree but to stand for what is right even in the face of great opposition. If America had passively agreed to disagree with Britain about the right to worship freely and a host of other differences, we would still be British subjects today. I thank God that in the United States, as of yet, we can still worship as we choose and stand for what we believe. While we still have that privilege, we should use it to the utmost of our ability. Please use the privileges you have: freedom of speech, freedom in elections and the freedom of the press, to name a few. An oppressed people know firsthand these are privileges to be defended and not rights to be taken for granted.

As a Christian, I implore all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to stand for the principles for which Jesus lived and died and rose again. If I may remind you, Jesus never once had a friendly debate with the Pharisees where they politely agreed to disagree. Jesus did not compromise for what he stood so that he could live in safety, and neither should we. If we as Christians do not stand for the principles for which Jesus himself stood, how can we call ourselves Christians? I John 1:6 says, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice faith." Those who do not stand for the principles that Jesus taught stand against him. We must stand for what is right. Remember was James 4:17 says: "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

MEGAN LaVANCHY

Jackson