In his Feb. 11 letter, “Bible teaches love and compassion,” Bryan Steussy was a “little shocked by the sheer intolerance of a fellow Christian [Ethan Tews] …”

I am more than a little shocked by the argument Bryan, a fellow Christian, was trying to make. Bryan stated the Bible teaches a doctrine of love, not hate, and he’s right. However, I don’t see how it follows from that statement that Christians are wrong when they speak out about sexual immorality or in this case, homosexuality, or any other sin.

Is it morally wrong for us as Christians to stand up for our doctrine of faith simply because it makes certain people uncomfortable to hear that we believe they are wallowing in a sinful lifestyle? If so, what makes your morals better than mine or Ethan Tews’? Why are you allowed to push your morals on us and be allowed to hide behind the curtain of “tolerance” when as soon as we Christians let our morals known, we are labeled “intolerant,” a “bigot” or “homophobic”?

I was also somewhat puzzled when Bryan said that Ethan gave a “bad interpretation” of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Ethan wasn’t giving an interpretation of the text; he was reading it word for word from the New Testament, the basis of the Christian faith.

I do not believe that there is any place in a Christian lifestyle for bigotry, hate or discrimination against homosexuals or any group of people for that matter. But taking a stand against sexual immorality — whether it be homosexuality, fornication or whatever — is part of who we are as Christians, and if you can’t accept that, then you have just become what you hate: An intolerant radical with a righteous cause, trying to rid the world of the injustice caused by the Christian doctrine.

Jason Iwig

Junior

Elementary Education