Well then. It seems that I succeeded in making a lot of noise here in Coeur d'Alene. At the request of a friend, I simply sent a voter guide to the people I pastor and to my local pastor friends. By doing this I gained the attention of quite a few local adversaries. This alone shows the power of the spoken word. It also apparently shows that one voice can make a difference. Imagine what would happen if all the pastors, leaders, priests, and rabbis in town did the same. I suppose we could actually make a difference - for the better.

The hubbub about all this is focused on the fact that I pastor a church. It has not focused on the fact that I am an American citizen with an opinion and the right and privilege to share it. The fact that I care about the community I live in and all the people who live in it should not be hindered by my role as a minister. The simple fact is that as a Bible teaching pastor, I still have the freedom to share my opinions. Not only do I have the freedom, I believe I have the responsibility as do all thinking Americans.

Many people today are looking for leadership. Leadership requires the act of leading - and leading is best done by example. In fact it requires example. Therefore, I believe my silence would be a failure.

The issues that have surfaced as a result of this latest storm of words is a church's 501(c)3 tax exempt status and the "700 million dollars" in revenue loss the government forfeits as a result of tax exemption to the nation's churches, the U.S. Constitution, Thomas Jefferson, et al.

This also seems to have revived the angst that surfaced over our City Council's choice to grant special rights to the LGBT community. It is obvious to me and many others I am sure that silencing the preacher would be the high calling of those who are so upset.

In part, tax exemption was granted clergy and churches because of what they provide to their communities. Pastors provide moral guidance, prayer for and at local gatherings, counsel to families and individuals, perform weddings, officiate at funerals and memorial services, and far more. Church buildings are not only used as worship centers, but also provide the cities and towns with community gathering facilities for both spiritual and social events. A local church is a blessing to its city - not just to those who call that church their own.

Members of Candlelight have help in the survival of several marriages - unburdening the court systems, saved the lives of many unborn children which provides the country with future "tax-paying citizens," provides "social services" to hundreds of needy individuals and assisted each one with counsel and financial support lightening city officials and taxpayers of added demand. Hundreds of meals are provided to the hungry throughout the year with an added benefit at the most emotionally difficult holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. We provide a free of charge safe alternative to Halloween every year at the Silver Lake Mall, a yearly National Day of Prayer event, served at the North Idaho Fair, sponsor events of all kinds and using a conservative calculation, provide the local community more than $1,000,000 ($1 million) in benefits. That's 1/700th what those who attack tax exempt Christian churches are said to cost to the entire USA in "lost revenue."

Seems like a good deal to me! I think people should thank us!

Pastor Tim Remington was also recently attacked for his Good Samaritan Rehabilitation efforts. I have been told that their cost savings to the citizens of Idaho is in excess of $20 million over the past 13 years. And that is insignificant when you consider the vast numbers of rehabilitated individuals, families, children, and uncounted human costs.

I speak up because I care. I lead because I believe people want leadership. If none go with me, I will still go. Rather than criticize, please join me! Rather than believe me a hater, consider my motivation - love!

Those who have likened me to Adolf Hitler, Richard Butler, a homophobe, et al., seem to lack the love they perceive me as lacking.

I love our community, love my neighbors, I love each of you! I love every one of you enough to tell you the truth - even if it is not what you want to hear.

This is my opinion and it is my privilege to share it. The emailed informational guide sent recently I sent as an individual - not as an institution. I am not a 501(c)(3); I am an individual, a Christian, and an American.

I only write here of some of the benefits provided to the community by two churches. Project this across the thousands and thousands of Christian churches and other ministries in the United States and that "$700 million" in so-called "lost revenue" is offset by billions of dollars and countless numbers of individuals, families, and children who are helped.

I pray that others will join me in the defense of freedom. The truth is a life and death matter. May we never forget that many have given their lives to provide us the right to speak!

Paul D. Van Noy is pastor of Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d'Alene.