Enlightened religious leaders don’t condemn homosexuals
Re: “Moral issues dogging Wildrose,” April 16.
Danielle Smith says, “When a person is making personal statements in their capacity as a pastor, which he (Allan Hunsperger) was, I don’t think anybody should be surprised that they’re expressing certain viewpoints.”
The implication here is that in religious circles, and among religious leaders, it is normal to denounce homosexuals to a “lake of fire.” This minis- ter begs to differ!
Our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, who were indeed “born this way,” are beloved children of God, created just as God meant them to be. I officiate at same-gender marriages with joy, I delight in families where there are two moms or two dads, and I embrace the beauty of diversity in God’s created order. And I do all of this as an ordained minister in the church.
I wonder why Smith didn’t ask me to run for the Wildrose party, especially since the name of my church is Wild Rose. Could it be that my “personal viewpoint” doesn’t fit in her party? Perhaps she instinctively knew I would have nothing to do with a political party that has shadowy and questionable intentions with regard to our gay and lesbian population.
Rev. Linda C. Hunter, Calgary Rev. Linda Hunter is minister of Wild Rose United Church.