I cannot sit by idly and not address the comments of Paul Van Noy in the August 22 article about titled “Pastor: ‘Demonic forces’ striking at religious freedom.”

Mr. Van Noy asks, “What religious freedom are we going to stand up and fight for?” I don’t think any of mine are taken away. He cited the case of the bakery in Colorado and of the bakery in Oregon who refused to bake a cake for same-sex couples. What seems to be omitted from this constant debate is that the store owners had no problem taking gay people’s money on a regular basis…until they want a wedding cake. Seems to me this could be a bit hypocritical.

Mr. Van Noy states, “What we’re dealing with is the same spirit in the homosexual community…that’s in ISIS.” How dare Mr. Van Noy for drawing a parallel between ISIS and the homosexual community. ISIS is a real threat to our American way of life and security in the United States. Mr. Van Noy further stated that “It’s the demonic forces in the homosexual community saying you are going to do it our way, like it or not.” I don’t believe that is what the homosexual community is saying. The gay community cannot sit by and watch their rights and freedoms be destroyed because of people like Mr. Van Noy, whose life work appears to be devoted to ensuring that gays and transgenders are to be treated as less than full members of our community and our country.

Mr. Van Noy quotes that he is not “homophobic…I’m not, what I am is for the liberty and justice for all that we just pledged about.” How can that be when he diligently works to ensure that gays and transgenders are not afforded the same rights as everyone else – these basic rights: 1. The right to have employment and keep it. 2. The right to rent an apartment and keep it. 3. The right to use public accommodations. These rights along with the freedom and liberty we pledge should be available to all citizens of America, not just those who hold a specific religious belief.

I am a straight, white, retired, widowed professional and I am also the proud mother of an adult, well-educated gay woman. I’m offended that Mr. Van Noy suggests that in any way, my daughter, because she is gay, is demonic and related to ISIS. Quite the contrary, she is compassionate, a strong leader, a loyal and loving wife and a wonderful daughter. She is all the things that I am sure Mr. Van Noy hopes his children grow up to be. And if one of them is gay or transgender they will be welcome in my home and family.

My God and Heavenly Father is a loving God. I seek a community that lives in harmony, gets to know each other, respects each other and affords everyone the same rights. The kind of community that I believe God would walk in.

RUTH ANN STRATTON

Post Falls