The real sin here, Mr. Earl Shetler, is your affiliation with such a group that would place such a hurtful, divisive ad in the first place and your very hurtful, judgmental words in your followup letter to the editor.  Shame on you; you should be the one that’s full of shame for being so UN-Christ like.

To set you straight, Mr. Shetler, homosexuality IS a small part of God’s design.  The only twisting taking place is when people like yourself misinterpret stories in the bible.  It’s obvious you are not aware by your mention of “creation” and the story of “Adam/Eve” that there are two, distinct stories of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis, written by two different authors, at different time periods, that share, although similar, two very different stories of the creation of Adam and Eve.  My aim isn’t to give a bible lesson but it’s obvious that you and the people from Jesus NOW Ministries that think very little have a lot to learn about the bible and following Jesus’ example on how to live one’s life.  People claim to be “Christian” and have no real idea what being “Christ-like” is.  You’re actions and words are a perfect example of this.  Not once during his lifetime, was Jesus quoted saying that homosexuality was a sin.  Not once.  In fact his very essence spoke of love and compassion and living our lives knowing that the very nature of our being is perfect in His eyes.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ according to his teachings.

I was raised in the Lutheran Church, I attended parochial Christian school as a child through middle school where I had to read, memorize and regurgitate the bible enough times it would make your head hurt.  It was during those early years, as a child that I felt shame and a deep loneliness.  Fear and repression through religion only to bring shame and loneliness is the very combination that can lead to the very unfortunate outcomes of our gay youth to spiritual death and in some cases physical death by suicide.  It wasn’t until I started the very long, and painful process of acceptance and living my life openly and honestly that I began to find my place in this world.  Seek and ye shall find.  Knock and the door will be open for you.  I am very blessed because I am gay.  Hearts and minds have been opened in my family.  My very own mother, whom I adore, when I was a small child would speak to the 700 Club through the television set, and give an Amen to Pat Robertson’s damnation of homosexuality.  You cannot begin to know the impact that might have on a small, gay child of God.  She’s an incredible woman today.  One that loves me unconditionally and has told me countless times that she’s blessed that I am her son and she’s sorry for all the hurt I felt as a child.  Because I am who I am, she’s been blessed with a son-in-law, my partner of 17 years and her very special and precious grandchild who we adopted as a small baby almost ten years ago.

I will close with this, Mr. Shetler, I cannot sit back and NOT respond to your words.  I am a father of a small son, I am a man that does my very best to live the best life I can and be the man I was designed to be.  If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, than I suggest YOU do a better job living your life as he did.  Judge not.  Do not speak of things you do not understand.  Love your neighbor as He did.

P.S. What’s with the beating of a dog because a cat meows business?  Inappropriate.  Again, shame on you!