RELIGION: No, bill is not a joke

Sometimes I read things in the newspaper that make it hard for me to believe my eyes, thinking “Did it really say that?” Regarding the article “House ships religious freedom bill back to panel,” (The Press, Feb. 13), did it really say the proposed legislation was to “… protect the religious freedom of businesses not to have to serve gay customers …” Are you kidding? Since when, what law, what legislation provides, “religious freedom of businesses?”

As to the people involved, whatever happened to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” as the Founder of Christianity commanded, (“ … I am giving you a new commandment …,” John 13:34) and to “Continue to pray for those persecuting you?” Instead of having their “passions inflamed” against others who have a different viewpoint, the religious conservatives would be better served if their passions were inflamed toward first obeying and practicing the Commandments — i.e., not requests — their Leader gave them: He continued to say, “By this, all will know that you are my disciples.” Isn’t that the important part? We need to be Christians in fact, and not in name only.

IRENE CURRAN

Post Falls