In a previous Letter to the Editor I quoted from the Old Testament Book of Daniel. “Daniel” becomes, as it progresses, a series of visions. The visions are frightening, which many Christians have interpreted as literal end-of-the-world scenes coming soon.

At heart, and as a Christian, I believe the visions are a graphic description of what was literally happening in Daniel’s time. Daniel was exiled as a captive, with the other Israelites, to Babylon.

Daniel’s visions are once again graphic pictures of what is happening today in the United States.

The first vision was of four giant beasts, each one more terrifying than the one before. The fourth, and most frightening was “hideous, with extraordinary power and with massive iron teeth … it ate and crushed, its feet smashed whatever was left over … it had ten horns…(and) another small horn came up between them. Three of the earlier horns were ripped out to make room for it. On this new horn were eyes like human eyes and a mouth that bragged and bragged.” (Daniel 7:1-8, Common English Bible)

In the end the fourth beast is destroyed. In its destruction I find hope and courage for what we face today, not only in the United States but impacting the entire world and the earth which we have been given to tend.

The current Administration, legislators who have failed to stand up for our Constitution and rule of law, and the man who would be king are frightening beasts risen among us. When we know this truth, we are not powerless to resist and to act in whatever way each of us and all of us together can.

As a member of a faith community, work within the community to speak out now! As a Christian make sure that the church is doing “what Jesus would do” … welcome the immigrant, feed the hungry, care for the sick, support the poor and stand against the power of the rich. In addition, consider joining an activist group such as the Northeast Addison County Chapter of “Indivisible.”

The time must be NOW to resist and to act!

Patti Welch

Bristol