Being kind and following Christ's example

My mother was Christian. She taught me to have compassion for others and practiced what she preached. When we disagreed about what was right or wrong, morally or politically, she treated me with respect and did not try to force me to change my beliefs or my behavior. She just wanted me to hear what she thought. I did.

I came to Sandpoint in 1993. I stayed not because of the political climate but because the community was welcoming and compassionate. I would even go so far as to say Christian, though not in the sense of leaving out other religions. I found a place for myself here.

Now I find that I have friends in Sandpoint who disagree with me about what is moral and want to use political power to take rights away from other people (women, trans, even children). And I hear my mother's voice reading to me. “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40).

Half the Sandpoint City Council along with the mayor have taken away antidiscrimination rights from Jesus himself.

If we must have religion in our government right now — then bring it on. But don't leave out the most important parts, the parts my mother gave me. We can live together without being hateful and mean.

NANCY GERTH

Sagle