Published: July 21, 2009 11:08 pm

By Mannix Porterfield
Register-Herald Reporter

Click here for archived news article

Bitter rhetoric and latent violence in the roiling feud over mountaintop mining in West Virginia can best be eased by taking the timeless advice of Jesus, a religious leader suggested Tuesday.

As tensions mount in the wake of confrontations at a Massey Energy strip mine in Boone County, the West Virginia Council of Churches called on both sides, along with civic leaders, to put aside "inflammatory rhetoric" and avoid any actions that could spark trouble.

"We ask leaders to encourage an attitude of understanding toward those with whom one disagrees," said the Rev. Dennis Sparks, head of the council.

Citing New Testament passages when Jesus of Nazareth was quizzed by scribes and Pharisees in obvious attempts to trap him in a war of words, Sparks pointed to one query, "What is the great commandment?"

To that, Jesus replied, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord."

Then, he continued, "The second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

What's more, Sparks cited another passage in which Jesus called on His followers to love their enemies and pray for those persecuting them, as proof they are children of God the Father.

"As Christians," Sparks said, "we are obligated to treat others in the manner in which we want to be treated."

"This requires us to respect the God-given dignity of all people and their right to express their views in a reasonable manner. When we disagree, we must respect the other parties' right of lawful assembly and freedom of speech, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution."

As for the mountaintop removal controversy, Sparks said the council's position is that mine operators should obey existing laws, specifically the 1977 federal surface mine act authored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.

"Our concern is very much about what's going on and the potential for violence on either side of that," he said of the issue.

Sparks said he understands where each side is coming from in the dispute.

Miners fear a loss of their livelihood and the inability to care for families if the practice is outlawed, while some coalfield residents see property hurt and water spoiled, he said.

"They fear the loss of heritage and culture when they are forced to leave communities that have been their homes for many years or generations," he said.

Sparks called on all state officials to provide equal representation on both sides.

"We call upon them in this tense situation to be measured in their words and actions," he said.

"They should avoid any appearance of partisanship. Whatever their personal opinions may be, their public duty must take precedence."