In his March 9 letter, “Writer dislikes Pride month,” a Port Angeles man frames his objection to Pride Month in biblical terms.
But what does the Bible actually say? That “there are seven things that are detestable to the Lord: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19.
Some of those might give even the writer pause.
We celebrate PrideMonth to redress historical messages of shame. Sunday sermons that condemn us, parents and teachers who disdain us for our innate differences.
And indeed, public servants who might treat us shoddily, disparage us in the media, or apply the laws differently to us.
This is exactly why we need a Pride Month.
The author closed his complaint by paraphrasing Orwell.
Fortunately, we needn’t paraphrase the Lord. He tells us in His own words to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
So in His name, we love the author, as we love all brothers and sisters in Christ. We want him to thrive and be surrounded by friends. To know safety and security and to enjoy an abundance of the Earth’s riches. We want those same things for ourselves.
But unlike the author and most straight people, we need to show a little pride to get there.
Dennis Swinford,
Port Angeles