Hate drowned out, letter by local clergy

The only thing I don't like about this letter and the fund raising effort is again, these people directly or indirectly associate homosexuality and Aids. Re-enforcing the idea that the gay lifestyle is unhealthy. They are against hate but they also pity the targets of the hate.

Hate drowned out
The IR headline was correct. Hate was drowned out. And best of all it was drowned out by a tremendous show of unity. Some 32 faith communities joined together to sponsor a full-page ad proclaiming God's love in the face of hate. Churches were packed this past Sunday to hear messages of God's love. Young people from Boulder, Basin, East Helena, Townsend, Whitehall, even Great Falls and Butte, joined in this powerful demonstration that the power of love far exceeds hate. In addition, St. Paul's United Methodist Church raised more than $3,000 for AIDS relief in Africa and St. Peter's Cathedral raised $1,500 to assist AIDS sufferers in Africa and Lewis and Clark County. Most of all, people of faith were mobilized to make it clear that hate is unacceptable in our community. God bless all of you who prayed and participated in any way!

The Very Rev. Stephen Brehe of St. Peter's Episcopal Church

The Rev. Marianne Niesen of St. Paul's United Methodist Church

The Rev. Sam Hughes of Calvary Baptist Church

The Rev. Loren Gustafson and the Rev. Travis Norton of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church

The Rev. Msgr. Kevin O'Neill of the Cathedral of St. Helena

The Rev. Jim E. Fiedler of First Presbyterian Church

False Christians by Renata Judd

Concerning HB240 "Hate Crimes," HB 259 "Civil Unions," and SB 199, "Human Rights Laws," I don't believe the majority has spoken.

The dogma peddled by mainstream Christianity is what fuels bigotry against gays, lesbians and people with disabilities, and the laws are designed to combat this bigotry. This dogma is from false Christians who serve Satan and do not follow biblical Christian standards. Read Matt. 7: 1,2; I Cor. 5:12,13. This last says it all. God is to judge those outside your congregation, not you. God does not need your help. Read Matt. 4:44 "love your enemies." To refuse these laws to this group of people is not love, it is hatred.

Read Matt. 24: 11, 24. Those who teach and do opposite of the above scriptures are false prophets and false Christians.

Renata Judd

5848 Racehorse Loop Rd.

Senate Bill 199 passed in the Senate

Senate supports gay rights bill
By ALLISON FARRELL - IR State Bureau - 02/17/05
HELENA — Gay rights advocates jumped for joy outside the Senate Wednesday after the body endorsed a bill that would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena, was approved by the Senate on a preliminary 27-23 vote. If the bill clears its final vote, it will face a tougher battle in the equally split House of Representatives.

Passed Senate and onto the Legislature

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS, DEVICES, AND SERVICES; DEFINING TERMS; AMENDING SECTIONS 33-22-101, 33-31-111, AND 33-35-306, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE."

Passed and moved onto the Senate

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT CREATING THE CRIME OF OBSTRUCTING HEALTH CARE FACILITY ACCESS."