Letter to the editor: Thoughts of a concerned Christian

There has been a concerted, focused effort for more than 50 years to normalize LGBTQ behavior. But this strategy exposes its inherent weakness: Something that must continually be normalized is, by definition, not normal. Otherwise, it would not need to be continually normalized.

For example, no one seeks to normalize sexual relations within heterosexual marriage. This is because such relations are already normal and express God’s design for humans to “be fruitful and multiply,” as “a man shall … hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

By contrast, same-sex sexual relations are not God’s design: “Men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

Likewise, elective abortion is continually being normalized in our culture because it is not normal for a mother — or for society — to end the life of an unborn child.

The illogic of abortion seems to be clear to me: We instinctively know that killing an innocent person is wrong and that an unborn baby is innocent. It would seem therefore wrong to kill an unborn baby. However, those who do not like a Christian message are prone to attack the messenger. In this case, when Christians defend biblical marriage and the sanctity of life, our religion is attacked as homophobic and part of a “war on women.”

I feel it is important for us to show our secular critics the value of religion to secular society. Here are some examples: Research shows that “religious attendance once or more per week leads to an extra seven years of life expectancy.” Religious involvement is also linked to a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, less depression, and less alcohol and drug use. Religious participation by kids results in less juvenile delinquency, less drug use, less smoking, better school attendance, and a higher probability of graduating from high school.

Adults who regularly attend religious services commit fewer crimes and give more money to charity. Studies indicate that “higher rates of religious beliefs stimulate (economic) growth because they help to sustain aspects of individual behavior that enhance productivity.”

According to sociology professor Rodney Stark, all of this benefits the American economy in the amount of $2.6 trillion per year, which is about one-sixth of our nation’s total economic output.

I’m hoping our secular world would take a moment to reflect and have an open mind and hear my nonjudgmental opinion on this subject. God Bless America.

Norman Phillips,

Woodland