Christian-bashing doesn't help

Regarding “Is Christian religious bigotry alive and well in Humboldt County?” (Times-Standard, Dec. 4, Page A4), my answer is yes. But not in the sense expressed by David Blodgett. Times-Standard prints one Christian column and has a Faith section once a week but that is too much according to the same frequent Christian bashers who fill the opinion pages. Any Christian expression or anything positive about Christianity elicits letters bashing Christianity.

In Humboldt's version of the land of the free, Christian bashing is OK but any other form of hate is not. Mr. Blodgett, is your opinion about the Rescue Mission only based on a Web statement? I would advise you to research the complex views and history of what someone homeless goes through here and who helps them. In several op-eds, I have asked people who have criticized Teen Challenge, Betty Chinn or the Rescue Mission to take someone homeless to their house, provide them food and support and be there for them no matter how long it takes.

Not one taker.

 The Rescue Mission is the only place some people have to go at night. Asking people to be clean and sober and listen to the Gospel is not forcing someone to believe anything. The Gospel has a message of hope for the poor and the focus should be on the values of the people who operate the Rescue Mission, not an opportunity for religious bashing.

Talk is cheap, show me real action and solutions. While Christians are not the only ones helping those less fortunate, consistent help provided to those struggling without basic services has been provided by the three organizations mentioned above which happen to be run by Christian people. Teen Challenge and the Rescue Mission are funded privately with no money from the city. The Betty Chinn Day Center has received some city funds but is mostly privately funded. There is no religious requirement to get help from Betty.

Mr. Blodgett and anyone else who uses the freedom of religion argument has the option to go out, fundraise and start their own shelter and if they discriminate against Christians, I will remind them of freedom of religion. If you want to use the separation of church and state argument, don't cherry pick the part that suits you. The phrase is “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ...”

I do not speak for the any of the above organizations but I am involved in the community and actually take time to talk to people struggling and know their story. The Rescue Mission helps people who stay for the night and then either leave and also helps some people who stay the night and then go out and contribute to cleaning up Old Town for free. For years Betty Chinn has helped anyone that needed it and even with the Day Center now, she will do the same. The Day Center also is a place that will help people access services and get on their feet. Teen Challenge provides assistance and people successfully overcome alcohol and drug addiction. All in Teen Challenge work and give back so others can benefit.

Some people chose to stay in their circumstances. I bring this up because there are individuals who were offered a job, a place to stay and to leave the Rescue Mission, at least two of them by me. They chose not to; one believed in Christ, the other did not.

Instead of taking every opportunity to denigrate a particular religion, use your time to make a change in someone's life for the better.