I am writing in response to Josh Ray's editorial about Christians. First, I must say I think your article was completely absurd. I didn't realize that our school paper was available for anyone to just spout out their beliefs about any subject. So you don't believe in God, that's fine, nobody says you have to. But to slander people that do believe in God, that's the contribution you want to make to society? You put down every religion that believes in a god, not just Christians. While these "believers in God" are trying to make the world a better place, all you can do is put people down. I noticed you never wrote what you believe in. It's easy to take shots at people without giving them what you believe is the real answer. It really doesn't matter whether you're right or not (I certainly believe that you aren't), that's not really the issue. The issue is the fact that you were allowed to discriminate against a lot of people in a college that is supposed to be accepting of people's differences. You have every right not to believe in God. But putting down anyone that does believe in God is wrong, regardless. Religion changes people's lives, usually for the better. Is there something wrong with someone wanting to be a better person? I realize that since you're around 20-something, you must have a world of knowledge because of all of your life experiences. What are you going to write about next week, how to be a parent? Or, that anyone that is black is bad because they are not like you?

It is ironic that The Chart's criterion for a letter to the editor states that it must be accurate, but your entire column was lacking of factual information. How do you know that God doesn't exist? Why didn't you give us this seemingly important piece of information? I am talking about facts, not personal experiences.

FYI - the definition of a Christian is someone who has decided to entrust his or her life to Jesus Christ. Hence, a person that believes in Jesus Christ is a Christian. Just like someone who is born in America is an American.

Ritchie Torrez

Webb City, Mo.