I am utterly saddened after reading in Monday’s paper about the church group from Kansas that plans to picket the funeral of Corey Dan on Saturday. Such hate does not come from God. It is embarrassing that people who call themselves Christians can behave in such a mean and despicable manner. My understanding of being a Christian is to be Christ-like, and Christ never showed or expressed hate for any individual or group.

I do not know this young soldier but I do know that many of our youth are sacrificing their lives for our country and they deserve respect and appreciation. Regardless of our feelings or thinking regarding the war, we must support our country and our military. Not because it is politically correct but because it is the right thing to do. If the country is not doing as we feel it should, then our remedy is in the ballot box, not at the funeral of a young soldier.

As for the issue of homosexuality, it is a separate issue from the war. However, again, God does not hate anybody, nor as a Christian, can I.

As a Christian, I intend to pray for the family, friends and loved ones of Corey Dan that they can ignore the protesters and grieve for Corey as they pay their last respects.

I shall also pray for those misled people from Kansas who are causing pain and sorrow for families of soldiers. I hope they will listen to God and seek His forgiveness.

Barbara Richards, Sabattus