MY TURN: Response to Pastor Van Noy's guest column

Pastor Paul Van Noy has chosen the public forum to weigh in on my statements in The Press story “Leaders Look to 2024.” In the original article I indicated that I am concerned about the deterioration in the relationship between local government agencies and the faith community, and referenced a study series available by “Redeeming Babel” called “The After Party.”

Mr. Van Noy raised a number of issues in his letter. He is certainly entitled to criticize me and even draw his own conclusions about me and have his thoughts and conclusions published.

In response, however, I would like to raise one issue. The first four paragraphs in Mr. Van Noy’s letter are critical of my statements and actions in support of our neighbors in the LGBTQ+ community. 

I want to make one point only and to make it very, very clear. As a human, community leader and Christian, I am deeply troubled by the repeated messages of discrimination, hate, fear and intolerance toward our LGBTQ+ citizens. These messages are sent loud and clear by many individuals, some who are church leaders, some community leaders, some political figures and some random citizens.

As for me, as a human, a community leader and a Christian, I see my calling to show others love and acceptance and to tell them of God’s deep and abiding love. I just don’t see any upside to calling out any one group with such destructive and dehumanizing messages. Over and over again throughout the New Testament, we are told not to judge and to show love. I find it especially troubling when a pastor or church leader engages in such messaging. It isn’t a great leap for individuals targeted in this way to come to the conclusion that God Himself rejects them for who they are.

And we know that isn’t true, because God so loved the world that He gave His only son to die for us. That’s the whole world, and all of us. 

It is also each of us. 

I recall the story of Jesus with the woman at the well. It is not our place to judge any other of God’s children. I am no less a sinner in need of God’s grace than every one of our neighbors in our community, all pastors, community leaders, faith partners and, yes, our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. Each of us are in need of God’s love, His grace, His forgiveness and His action in our lives, leading us to become all that He means for us to be.

As far as my attendance at Day of Prayer events, I certainly believe in prayer and what it offers us. As I have been able, I attend. But I am also comforted that, in our church, we say prayers for all our leaders and many other things, like our planet, every week of the year.

My final point is this: We are all called to be children of God. He loves each of us unconditionally. I know I am an imperfect man striving to be what and who God calls me to be. I choose to accept, respect and love my neighbors.

ALL my neighbors.

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Dan English is a Coeur d’Alene.