To the Editor:
Monday, October 8, is Columbus Day. Traditionally observed on the second Monday in October, Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the “New World” (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Although Columbus wasn’t the first to visit the “New World” (Vikings had traveled here centuries earlier), Columbus first widely publicized, and thus “discovered,” its existence to the Europeans. Columbus undertook his first voyage facing the prospects of great danger. The professional opinion of that day not only assured him of the impossibility of his sailing endeavor, but it also warned him that dragons and death awaited him beyond the charted waters. Columbus said, “All those who heard about my enterprise rejected it with laughter, scoffing at me…” Columbus said he got encouragement from the Bible. From the Bible Columbus would have known the scientific fact that the earth is circular (Isaiah 40:22) and that there are watery paths (ocean currents in the ocean (Psalm 8:8).
All scientific facts written in the Bible hundreds of years before man discovered them have been proven to be correct. The Bible says “fear not” 365 times. Columbus said, “No one should be afraid to take on any enterprise in the name of our Savior (Jesus) if it is right and if the purpose is purely for His holy service.” Columbus said, “It is hoped that by God’s assistance some of the continents and islands in the ocean will be discovered.” It’s because of Columbus’ Christian motivations and convictions that now he has become a villain for most liberal (left) modern educators and media writers, who often attack and condemn him. They have adopted the deplorable modern educational practice of deconstructionism — attacking traditional Western heroes, values and institutions.
Some are asking because Columbus abused Indians should we continue to celebrate Columbus Day? Stanford professor emerita Carol Delaney marvels at the ignorance. “They are blaming Columbus for the things he didn’t do,” Delaney explains. “It was mostly the people who came after, the settlers. I just think he’s been terribly maligned.” Delaney points out that in the man’s own writings and the writings of those who knew him, Columbus seems to be “very much on the side of the Indians” and even adopted the son of an American Indian he had befriended. “The typical mainstream anti-Columbus hit piece goes as follows: cite a well known passage from Columbus’ diary out of context, juxtapose it next to the testimony of his chief political rivals and pretend that all of this information has only recently been uncovered.” It’s like using a document written by rivals Walter Mondale and Jimmy Carter to prove President Ronald Reagan was a terrible president. Many hate Columbus because he was a Christian and even has a Christian name.
Whether you celebrate Columbus Day is your choice, however, to tear down his statue or other statues that are government property is a felony and you should be arrested and charged with the crime. Learn from history, don’t destroy history as the Muslim ISIS did.
We will soon celebrate only God’s holidays. It says in Zechariah 14 in the future when Jesus reigns on earth those who don’t go to Jerusalem and worship Jesus and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, a feast of thanksgiving, will receive no rain in their cities. The good news is after the soon coming seven-year tribulation mentioned in Revelation Jesus will return to earth and rule and reign forever as King of Kings! Christians are like Columbus looking for a new world and a new body our Savior Jesus will give us. Christians are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ!”

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton