Speak Up!
Page 1 of 2
Finally Forgiven
I just read the article "Forgiving Dad" (September/October). It was one of the best articles I've ever read. From the start I had tears in my eyes. The part that impacted me the most was when the author wrote we weren't just forgiven for our past sins, but also for our future ones. I've struggled with not being able to forgive myself for some things, but this article showed me I need to let go of everything and be open to what God wants me to do.
Chad Meehling
Anchorage, Alaska
Thanks for Caring
I loved "A Chance to Care" ("My Life As a Student," September/October). It was awesome because some teens are influenced by stuff that God doesn't want us to do. I am happy that you put this in the magazine because it tells teens that they need to wait for sex until they're married.
Brittany Bokop
Pensacola, Florida
An Encouraging Word
I want to compliment you for printing "Did God Make Me Gay?" (September/October). I send a great big thanks to Christine Sneeringer for writing it. I have never heard this side of the story before. To hear the basic reality of how one became involved and uninvolved in homosexuality was very revealing to me. My daughter has struggled with accepting lesbian friends for a long time. She wants to be a godly example without snubbing them. This article showed that Christine's friends loved and cared for her, but also stood their ground and imitated Christ. I'm sending this article to my daughter, and I pray it encourages and educates her as it did me.
name withheld
Born Gay?
I am writing in response to your article "Did God Make Me Gay?" The section where you say people aren't born gay is not accurate. Research doesn't disprove the hypothesis that a gay gene exists. My uncle died of AIDS at the age of 32 due to a gay lifestyle and his father, my dad's father, is gay as well. Gayness can be a choice, but if you took a poll of gay people and asked how many of them chose the lifestyle and how many of them didn't, you would see for yourself most don't choose to be that way. I hope next time you report a story like this you'll avoid saying there is no way you can or can't be born with a trait. Keep up the good work, but remember, you aren't always right.
Samantha Woodsome
Littleton, Colorado
Editor's note: Actually, there's research on both sides of the question of whether or not a "gay gene" exists. The writer of the story cited research that says it doesn't, saying homosexuality is not inborn. But even if there were such thing as a gay gene, the Bible still condemns homosexual behavior (Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26-27), and people can still choose whether or not to engage in that behavior. To illustrate the point, some research also indicates the possible existence of an "anger gene," meaning some people may be born with a hot temper. Though no one would choose to be that way, such a person is still responsible for his or her behavior. Lashing out in anger at someone is still sinful—whether you're genetically "wired" with a hot temper or not.
Page 1 of 2
