Call out Christian extremists

As Christians, we must call out all extremist especially those who use our non-violent Christian faith for power, ego, and greed. Dec.4, KXLY reported that Rep. Matt Shea said that Christianity is being persecuted in America which from him suggests a violent response. In truth, Christianity has historical and current sins just like any human led organization. Exposing those sins is a call to repentance not a call to violence.

The God Christians serve teaches us to act with the compassion, justice, and love of Jesus. In Matthew 25:34-36, Jesus teaches that responding to the needs of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, poor, sick and imprisoned is how God measures us. God requires criticism of Christians when we are not loving our neighbors as ourselves. God would even allow the church to go extinct if it did not turn away from the sins of pursuing power, ego, and greed. Should that happen, be assured that God would raise up others to do the work of Jesus, the work of compassion, justice, and love for our neighbor. A god who needs a violent defense is a very small god indeed.

Rev. Genavieve Heywood

Spokane Valley