Wednesday, March 3, 2004

Christians must show love to gays

This is in response to Mr. Jeff Ellis’s letter [The Citizen, Feb. 18, 2004].

As a Christian who tries to live out her walk every day, I wanted to encourage you. You wrote a very bitter letter about the church not harboring homosexuals. I must say that I do not believe it to be the church’s responsibility to harbor homosexuals as that would cause the appearance that the church was embracing a thing that God clearly states in His word is repulsive to Him.

However, I do believe that the church has taken that too far. It is our responsibility as Christians to bring God’s love to those around us and through that set examples of how to live pure and godly lives.

Instead of condemning, the church should be counseling. We should reach out in love and accept these people where they are; then we can show them that there is another way to live and that with God’s help they can overcome everything.

I hope, sir, that you will take this as it was intended. I am not trying to tell you that you are completely wrong. It is entirely understandable why you would be so bitter towards those who condemn homosexuality.

However, there can be reconciliation if the church will do its part. I wish I could help more, but I am only a 17-year-old female who has very little voice and a compassionate heart that cries when I see people walking in blindness. Please accept my apology on behalf of the church and know that if it were up to me things would be different.

Jennifer White

Tyrone, Ga.