To the editor:

Concern that “more LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide compared to heterosexual youth” was expressed by the writer of ‘Follow Jesus’ mandate may save lives.”

When I grew up in the 50s, “gay” was sung in songs about spring, meaning “happy”. Most families attended church together. Sports and music competitions, etc., were not so far away that we were too tired to get up for church on Sunday. In Sunday School, and later catechism class, and in church we learned about God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Creation as described in Genesis was not a myth, we knew the reason for the Flood, and especially, God’s plan for our salvation.

We (I have six siblings) memorized the Ten Commandments and knew the first three tell us how God wants us to love him, and the rest, how to love our neighbor. “Thou shall not murder” (God did command wars to stop evil), Thou shall not steal or commit adultery. Adultery had to do with impure sexual living, such as David’s sin with Bathsheba, and the homosexual sins of the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah which God ended.

In the Old Testament, some laws and immediate punishment were given for the purpose of letting God’s people know they were set apart from those who lived as they please. The promised Savior would come from Abraham’s family.

When Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, He did not mean “Love your neighbor as yourself ” was new.” God had actually spoken those words in Leviticus 19. Jesus’ words were spoken the evening before he died in our place. “The wages of sin is death . . .” (Romans 6:26) Jesus was going to die once for all so that our death, like His, would be a sleep before waking again. ” the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:26) God forgives all our sins because Jesus paid the entire debt for us. Heaven is our home.

God’s love is inclusive; He wants everyone to repent of their sin so no one will perish. (2 Peter 3:9) God does not love behaviors that He has forbidden. Our youth need to know they are loved; God loved them first. Like loving parents, God sets boundaries and does not tolerate disrespect. Children who are not disciplined are confused as to how to behave. If society presents LGBTQ lifestyles in contrast to God’s, won’t our youth grow up confused?

Why should a flag, hung for the purpose of being welcoming and accepting of all students, exclude those children who trust in God’s Word?

Trudy Madetzke

Marshall