Like many people, I have been following the debate over homosexuality. I am not writing in about the specifics of that issue but on an idea that has resulted from that discussion.

On Friday, Ben Godar and Ben Byrne presented similar ideas in their separate articles.

They stated that they felt that it served no purpose to debate specifically religious or biblical issues because no progress would be made and no minds would be changed.

I could not disagree more.

I believe that nothing is of greater importance than discussing the claims Jesus, his followers and their teachings make for themselves.

I think it is possible to become a true Christian at a very young age and that some cradle Christians have a very strong faith.

But this is not the case for myself or for the majority of Christians that I know.

Most of us who are dedicating our lives to Christ are doing so because friends, relatives and classmates told us about God’s love for us and our need for his forgiveness when nothing could have been further from our minds and we simply did not want to hear the gospel.

I am acknowledging my sins before Jesus and living in his grace because people loved me enough to tell me what I needed to hear even when I didn’t want to.

I could never hate anyone enough to not do the same for them.

This is what motivates the Christians who are writing in about homosexuality.

They are trying to share the same message of repentance and forgiveness through Jesus that has transformed them.

Some people doubt that discussion of moral or religious issues can accomplish anything.

The proof that they can is the thousands of Christians in Ames, and the millions around the world.

Ryan Larson

Junior

Political science and history