Dear Peggy J. Sorenson, please accept my gratitude for your My Turn in Saturday’s edition of The Press. I too was ashamed of the prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness that Michael Paul was exposed to in a so-called Christian church. What happened to the Golden Rule? Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.

I have traveled to the Middle East and have made friends and enjoy their culture which is so much older than ours. I have been blessed to travel around the world and learn from other cultures that if you treat people with respect, they in turn show you respect.

I would be pleased to offer my hand in friendship Michael Paul and his family.

On the other hand…

Front page Aug. 22, Pastor Paul Van Noy of Candlelight Christian Church: I read the article and he reminded me of Governor George Wallace in the ’60s spewing his vile hatred, or the pastors who were in the pulpit on Sundays and wearing their Ku Klux Klan sheets bringing terror to blacks at night. They all said it was God’s will to defend their hate. They wouldn’t serve blacks in restaurants. Gas stations had separate bathrooms and drinking fountains. Separate doors were required for blacks entering stores and schools. White supremacy ruled.

Now some Christians are saying the same about gays as they did about blacks. We are not going to make you a cake or sell you flowers for your wedding or marry you. It’s all about hate.

Christians need to research their history of being predators of others for centuries. And to the Republican Party, remember separation of church and state.

JUNE PAXTON

Coeur d’Alene