Dear Daniel and Emily, I understand your points and I think that they are very valid; I would like to point out that there are those of us who are part of the Christian faith who are trying to make a difference and make things better. The “church” in the United States is plagued with problems and there are no easy solutions. The solution lies in each of us and our willingness to change our own behavior. Both of you also claim to be Christians, so I believe that you are. I do not wish to slam you or disrespect you in any way. It seems that you are both jaded and have possibly been hurt by people in the church. So have I and it is not fun. I do not think that you can write off all of the people in church though.I do not wish to judge, but I am called, as a follower of Christ, to hold up a standard of what is right and what is wrong. That standard must be coupled with love and forgiveness. This calls for a delicate balance. One must find the line between acceptance and right. I will be unashamed in saying that there is right and that there is wrong, but there is also repentance and forgiveness. There are certain things that are wrong behaviors, and they must be addressed as that. However, you must not shoot the wounded and destroy those who are already in a crisis situation. This means that you cannot go gay bashing and what ever else ignorant people would try to do. They may be wrong, but we need to shower them with love, and kindness. All this must be done in the delicate balance of still maintaining that right is right and wrong is wrong. This is something that my family has been going through for the last several years. My adopted sister is a lesbian, and it has taken a lot of faith to deal with her. I love my sister and I think she is one of God’s beautiful creations, but she is wrong. We are not twisting scripture as one of the article said. It really does say that Homosexuality is a sin. What we are doing wrong is how we have been dealing with it within the church body. We do not need to ostracize each other. If you see that something is wrong or that something is being done contrary to scripture, then do something about it. Writing an article is one thing. (And again, I mean no disrespect) However, if you see that there is a problem, instead of becoming part of it (the apathetic body of Christ), be part of the movement for change. Get active, do not let a teacher or pastor that is incorrect stand incorrect. Check things that may be wrong with what the scripture says. Call them on it and be a proclaimer of the truth, not just all the ills of the church. Both Mr. Vrana and Ms. Walters have very good insight. I hope that you can both find a place in Christianity that suits you. I am sure that you both have amazing gifts that you can use. Try to find some solutions to your criticisms. I know that things are bad and wrong in the American church, but not all of it is, and not all of us are out to get each other. Instead, I hope and pray that we can fight for each other when we have problems and that a church might once again become a place of safety for those who need help. I would like you both (and I will include myself in this) to pray for the church in America. Pray not only that we might understand and sympathize with our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted, but that we might come closer to God, and in doing this we might exhibit a more Christ like behavior toward all.

Tamara Turley