You can struggle with bias and still be a 'good Christian'
I read Alton Fisher's letter in last Sunday's Free Press. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) As a person who says that he is "not very religious," your preconceived notions appear to me to lump Christians into either "fully successful" or miserable failures.
"Truly sweet" people can stay away from people and activities they don't agree with because they have a right to think and do what their conscience tells them to do.
Unless they're being loudly vocal they are not "spreading hate and unacceptance," they are exercising their right to not participate.
Maybe they're struggling (yes, Christians struggle) and trying to reconcile biases they were taught with how we are challenged to "hate the sin, love the sinner." When a person does what you would consider a "bad" thing, does that negate anything good they are or have done? I believe not. This isn't a situation where one failure undoes all the good a person has done or will do.
Christ accepts us as we are, sins and all. He invites us to accept others as they are and to encourage them to grow in all the virtues that point to an authentic Christian life. Churches that teach anything less than this are misguided at best.
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Please don't be so hasty as to think that the "sweet people" you reference are bad. Is there anything you have done that is bad? Would you want people to be so harshly critical? I pray not.
Mary Robbins
St. Clair Shores
In response to a letter about so-called Christians. ("What does it mean to be a 'good Christian'?" Detroit Free Press, June 1.) While there is sadly much truth in what he wrote, please know that many Christian churches do welcome all, from every walk of life and certainly including those in the LGBTQ+ community.
"No matter who you are or where you are on your life's journey, you are welcome right here." So starts the pastor's welcome announcement.
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All are invited to partake in communion as well. We are all God's children and God loves us all. No exceptions. It is not our job to judge. We welcome the stranger and enjoy fellowshipping together. God appreciates when our activities help others, strengthen our communities and help take care of this beautiful Earth that God entrusted to us. This for me is a very fulfilling worship experience. God has already taken care of the details.
Elsa Copa
Watersmeet, Michigan
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Being a good Christian doesn't mean you don't struggle | Letters
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