Your Opinion: Disturbed by judgmental comment

Dear Editor:

In response to Ms. Schnieder's comment published on March 25, I too agree that the News Tribune does a nice job focusing on positive local contributions and good deeds being done in our community. I know there are many people in our community, including myself, who donate their time, skills and talents for the good of others. Please continue to highlight these stories - it makes our community a better place.

The second two-thirds of her comment about Christian values were disturbing. Parade Magazine has been included in the Jefferson City News Tribune as long as I can remember. According to their website, Parade Magazine is distributed to more than 600 Sunday newspapers with a readership of 69 million people.

It comes as no surprise a nation-wide publication would choose Ms. DeGeneres to be featured. She has a long-standing career; including two shows (The Ellen Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show), hosted the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards and has made numerous other contributions to the world of entertainment.

I have been a fan of Ellen for many decades and find her to be quite funny and I appreciate her clean sense of humor. In researching Ellen's beliefs, I was unable to determine if she is a practicing Christian or not; however it seemed that Ms. Schnieders assumed that because Ellen is in a same-sex relationship that she could not be a Christian and should not be in Parade Magazine. Really?

I am a Christian, born and raised in Jefferson City. It is upsetting such judgmental comments are still being printed and are really unnecessary, counterproductive and hurtful.

What should be in print more often is that God's love is all-encompassing and many Christian churches welcome people from all walks of life. Sadly, some Christians do not attend church regularly because of negative and judgmental opinions such as these.

As many people of faith, I believe that all people can be participants in God's love. That worship, prayer, love and forgiveness are all important aspects in the life of a Christian believer. We are one nation, under God, including taxpaying LGBT citizens.

Jesus died for all of our sins, not a select few. I encourage anyone to attend the church of their choice and experience all of the benefits you will receive.

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