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Follow Jesus’ mandate may save lives

To the Editor:

Regarding the LGBTQ flag in the Middle School cafeteria, a recent letter to the editor stated that “A flag that contains colors representing lifestyles contrary to God’s Word are not inclusive.”

I will assume that by “God’s Word” the writer is referring to the Bible. Yes, in the Bible you can find things like this: “If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing.” This is followed with, “They must be put to death” (LEV 20:13). So kill the homosexuals? Also, do not let your hair become unkempt or you will die (LEV 10:6) and never wear clothing woven of two kinds of materials (LEV 19:19).

According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, when asked the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In John’s Gospel Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Research has documented that LGBTQ youth report significantly higher rates of having seriously considered suicide, making a plan to attempt suicide, and attempting suicide compared to heterosexual youth. These disparities in suicidality are thought to be due to stressors and discrimination associated with being in a socially stigmatized position in society, as opposed to being LGBTQ in and of itself.

Imagine feeling so unloved that you want to kill yourself! Letting LGBTQ youth know that they are included and welcome might save some lives, and might follow Jesus’s mandate to “love one another.”

Justin Vorbach

Marshall

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