Letter to Editor from Ina McFee

First of all, thank you, North Missourian, for your slant on the issue of same sex marriage. In regard to the letter in the Aug. 4, 2004, edition of the paper, I feel the need to clarify some points that were brought up by Gina R. Saunders. This is the first letter to the editor I have ever written so if you know me, you would know that I must feel strongly on this issue to write this.

Having been a Christian for many years and having read the Bible through many times, I feel that I do know some of what God’s Holy Word says on same sex relationships. Check out Gen. 19 for the first one, including the destruction that fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. Also, look up I Corinthians 6:9 and Rom. 1:26-27 and other verses on this issue. These are only a few examples of how our Lord feels about same sex relationships. We cannot just blot things out of the Bible that we disagree with. The Word cannot be changed to fit what we want.

The question was asked, “How can Christians think so unlike Christ?” So, if you look up these scriptures and really read them, do you think that we as Christians are really being unlike Christ in our feelings on same sex relationships? A stand against same sex marriage does not show discrimination against anyone. This is a moral stand. Discrimination is wrong and cruel and should not be practiced in any case by anyone.

Is it true that our Lord says, “Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged.” This is in Matt. 7:1. Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. Many people find it easier to magnify others’ faults while excusing their own. We are told not to do this. However, in voting Yes on Amendment 2, I don’t believe most of us were judging others. It was a stand against something that the Bible clearly states is wrong.

Heb. 13:5 states that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Marriage is a sacred institution. Heb. 13:4 says that it should be honored by all. If Jesus had been a physical body walking the earth today and gone to a polling place to vote, I am certain that he would have completely filled in the Yes oval on Amendment #2. He wants marriage kept sacred. He cannot go against His Word because the Word and the Spirit always agree.

However, even though God hates the sin, He still loves the sinner and He commands us to do the same. See John 8:1-11 about the adulterous woman. Jesus showed compassion to this woman and expects us to do likewise. I John 9 says that our Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. John 3:16, a very familiar verse to all of us says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Rom. 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Our Lord will forgive us of any sin if we but ask because He loves us. There are no big and little sins. However, there will come a day when we will be judged if we refuse His love.

Gina Saunders brought up the fact about terrible divorce statistics. I will agree there, but you know, we rarely hear about the good marriages and there are still many of them out there. I have to wonder how many same sex couples live together for many years without changing mates. Also, what effect does their union have on children that are involved? In addition to my knowledge, couples of the same sex are not kept from living together by our man-made laws if they so desire regardless of who may or may not approve.

So whether 79.6% of Daviess Countians and over 70% of Missourians as a whole voted Yes on Amendment #2 because of personal convictions or Biblical convictions or both, I applaud you. We did the right thing. We should not let anyone even someone with many degrees and training condemn us. Respectfully,

Ina McFee — Committed Christian for 33 ½ years; wife of almost 39 years; mother of two grown and also married daughters; grandmother to five grandchildren.