To the editor:

Recently a letter to the editor was published entitled “Let Willkommen Truly Be Welcomed.” Here’s the other welcoming view for everyone in New Ulm:

God welcomes all sinners who are lost and need rest. Our Father in heaven who is both just and gracious placed the punishment for our sin on His Son who carried it to the cross. That welcome never includes condoning sin. He calls sin what it is in the hopes of drawing people to Himself. God’s grace is love that isn’t deserved. Forgiveness is granted unconditionally to all who acknowledge their sinfulness.

I’m not sure what “authentic faith expression” the writer of the article is referencing. I would hope that those who are involved in a LGBTQ lifestyle would look to God’s Word in Genesis and again in Romans to see what our Creator God says regarding marriage and the relationship between men and women.

Getting to know anyone, including LGBTQ persons, “up close and personal” makes one care all the more what happens to them — not only in this life, but especially into eternity. The last thing one wants is to see someone hurt in such a way that his or her eternal life is in jeopardy. Sometimes that means tough love with the goal of bringing someone up short so they stop to think of the lasting consequences of the way they’re living their lives. A relationship may suffer in time because one cares so much about eternal consequences.

Because we all have our self-centered, sinful nature — including me — there’s a need to be careful not to come across as being self-righteous. A better-than-you attitude is never a good thing. To quote the writer of the article: “May we approach sexual orientation issues with an open heart, while pondering the suffering and isolation inflicted by careless…words. Above all, may we…listen to understand.”

We want to take the Savior’s lead and say, “Welcome, everyone, no matter who you are.” We want others to have the rest and peace of mind we ourselves enjoy. Forgive us when we come across as thinking we’re any better than someone else. In the eyes of God we’re all sinners, and in the eyes of God we’ve all been redeemed by the perfect life and suffering and death of our Savior.

These truths found in the Word of God are not the basis for setting policy in a public school setting and may not be taught there, but they are the firmly held beliefs of a segment of parents who want to make use of our public schools while teaching their children values for life. The views of these parents should be respected, not disallowed or undermined.

As the writer of the article said, “Let “Willkommen” truly be “Welcome!” (including everyone) expressed by hearts of compassion, that are ever learning and transforming.”

Mary Thom

New Ulm