Editor, Gazette-Journal:

It appears that some readers fail to actually read what is written and react to an opinion which differs from theirs and make it personal. It is often better to check this reaction before sharing it. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t realize the blessing that comes with being an American.

Whether born here or naturalized, we each have the same freedoms given by our Constitution and having lived outside the U.S. and spent a considerable amount of time in some areas of Europe, plus the weeks I spent in Israel, I thank God for being here. Our Constitution is always in some danger due to the human failing for power and using it. Right now I believe every citizen needs to familiarize themselves and simply read what makes our nation different, and we are different no matter what others say, even the president. The Bill of Rights, the Constitution with all the amendments, make a unique document and we should be grateful and proud of what it says. When we are, we make a better nation.

As to how we began, God has always been part of the plan. He is everywhere and that is why we have succeeded as a nation. But we have to understand that our future success depends on living by what brought us here in the first place. Now, as to being a Christian and not being ashamed to identify as one, I add that there is much for all of us to learn regarding that it means. For the past 20 years I have been fortunate to participate in many bible studies in groups of Christians from California to Virginia and best of all, two weeks studying our Judeo-Christian heritage in Israel. King James, New King James, NIV and other bibles have been studied and the word "tolerance" is not used in the scriptures. Christ taught us to love others as He/God loves us. This is Agape love, not what man considers love.

Nowhere are we taught to accept what God has called sin in ourselves or in others. Jesus came because we each are going to sin. What we are taught is not to judge because that is His job.Being tolerant is a virtue but it is not what God wants from us.

Then there is Charity, aka Love, as He has taught us and we are called to share what He gives to us with others, but this is personal and it belongs to every individual to decide what and how to share, not the media or the government. In fact, there were reports in the news not too long ago stating that those who gave the most to others turned out to be conservatives! "

That is exactly how it is supposed to be and Americans long ago, before the politicians got into it, did this on a regular basis, calling it the Christian thing to do. This is not to say only Christians share or give; on the contrary, in years past most of our people believed in helping their neighbors and do today. But mandating by politics is wrong and has nothing to do with the Charity Jesus taught us. .

Labels get in the way of genuine learning and discussion. Since we have inherited the best plan ever for a government we need to work from this basis. We will never be perfect but we can keep faith with how we got this far.

Dawn Dale

Hayes, Va.