I’ve been thinking a lot about the Westboro Baptist Church’s planned visit to Oxford Hills for Corey Dan’s funeral. I wonder what church members hope to achieve with their anti-gay demonstration.

There is no connection between their homophobic agenda and the death of a serviceman killed in the line of duty. Yet, they will use his funeral to further their hateful agenda.

They call themselves Christian, but their words and actions are hateful. My understanding of Christianity is that its decent followers accept the intrinsic value of every life. A good Christian loves all his neighbors, not just the ones he deems worthy of his love. Hatred and intolerance are contrary to the beliefs of any religion that I know.

I am not a practicing Catholic, mostly because I have seen countless horrors enacted in the name of religion. But in a culture of God, God is the most tolerant and forgiving figure that exists. It is incomprehensible to me that they use His name to vilify homosexuals.

Even though I am not religious, I am spiritual. I believe life is sacred and precious. And it is too short for me to spend my days passing judgment on those who have not harmed me. I strive instead to be tolerant, compassionate, loving and kind.

What is it that would make church members happy? Should we line all the gays against a wall and shoot them? Should we also punish all those who accept them?

Martha McLean, Bryant Pond