Defending objections

To the editor:

I never dreamed I would be writing a letter like this, but here I am, and here I go.

The old saying, "if we do not learn from history, we tend to repeat it," still rings true today. Do we turn aside, ignore things and maybe they will fade like some fads of the past? Not so sure on that.

We will be judged as a nation for the sins of the people. That's not just me saying that. There are archeological finds to prove the rise and fall of great nations and of great cities like the walled city of Jerusalem. History has already been written. It is fact, not theory.

Why is there such a dilemma over homosexuality? What the Bible says is an abomination to God (Leviticus Chapter 18) we are now told, 'it's O.K., you were born that way.' Well of course you were born that way; we were all born with that sin nature.

We all want to do what feels good - when, where and with whom we want to do it. Again, archeological finds have shown two great cities utterly destroyed by fire with no explanation and the locations were the cities known as Sodom and Gomorrah. The men lusted after men, and the women lusted after women.

Sound familiar? They were born that way too. God called it sin way back then and still does. Yes, I do believe the Bible is absolutely true. I believe in our creator God that inspired the writing of it, and His Son that came and died for all sin - mine included. Mine was not that of homosexuality; there were many different ones, still punishable by the final death and judgment. Had I continued in those sins and practiced them in the name of Christ, it would be totally against His word.

Now to get to the part that really bugs me: Christians lashing out at other Christians because they walked a line in front of Arts Place. Here's a scenario to thank about. Maybe you'll get it, maybe you won't.

Let's say a group of kids are out joyriding in their cars (I grew up in the era of muscle cars, so yes mom never knew I raced that Pontiac. It had a 326 and it would fly). But for the sake of this scenario, some of these kids are your sons and your daughters. They're out on this dark country road to run their cars, and someone calls you and says, 'hey, your kids are going to run their cars at midnight. The bridge is out and someone took the signs down.' Wouldn't you be frantic to get there? Not just to warn them but to stop them? I venture to say you would be there screaming your lungs out, "Stop! Stop! Please! You can't go this way."

I was there that night at Arts Place. I carried my sign. Not out of judgment by any means, but great love. Our young people are told it's O.K. You can sin and still be a Christian. You can't. That bridge is out.

You cannot go to Heaven while knowingly practicing sin of any kind. Am I passing judgment? Not by any means, because I stand before Christ knowing my place. I will always be that sinner saved by His great grace.

One last note. I have known Judy Supinger for many years and I have never met a more loving, Christian woman in my life. She was there just like the rest of us. It was all about the love of Christ and holding Him up. And maybe trying to save just one more on the dark road.

Sincerely, and in Christ's love,

Charlene E. Wilder

Portland

Objecting

To the editor:

I am one of the proud objectors that marched at Arts Place and these are the reasons why I did. I have read with much interest all the letters in The Commercial Review and I continue to be amazed by people trying to justify the sin of homosexuality. There were 17 people marching that night, including several ministers. We have been called judgmental and intolerant. We were photographed, laughed at and mocked.

We also had people attending the concert who were interested in what we were standing for and spent time talking with us, including Mr. Boltz's former spouse. Our message was simple: Homosexuality is a sin. Sorry, there is no gray area. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so.

We also don't need a Gay/Straight Alliance club in our high school, period. Every student at the high school has a counselor assigned to them. These counselors are trained professionals, not fellow students who don't have the skills necessary to deal with the more complex situations that are sure to arise with this Gay/Straight Alliance. And if you don't think the GSA will take on a bigger identity than itself, then you need a lesson in reality.

We were not passing judgment or condemning anyone, only the sin. If you feel your toes were being stepped on, then the Lord was dealing with you.

Yes, it was hard taking a stand. I love, work and attend church in Portland. But I am proud of taking that stand and marching with fellow Christians who hold the same values and truths as I do. It's time for the rubber to meet the road, fellow Christians. We can't continue to bow to the world. This is simply the tip of the iceberg of what Satan has in store.

Lin Ellsworth

Portland[[In-content Ad]]