Forgiveness was lacking

Dear editor:

I couldn't help noticing that the No-Limits Christian Ministries continues to be in the news.

That is great for the growth of their congregation, but I have to wonder why a Christian group like this would go so far as to hire out-of-town lawyers to fight what is really no more than local policy. And if they didn't hire them, why let someone from out-of-state deal with a local issue?

Why call on violations of the First, Fourteenth Amendments and the Religious Land Use and Institutional Law Use Act of 2000 when the city council was concerned about the safety of the members, the safety of the building and the safety of the community? As stated by Ms. Sellers in last week's paper, why not ask people here to work together to resolve the issue or perhaps find another building? What is so special about this building?

According to the prayer Jesus offered, he asked that our Father forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. In I Cor. 6, Paul tells the Christians that if they have a matter against another, they should not take it up with the law. I don't know enough to quote the Bible verse for verse, however, I think Jesus also said to turn the other cheek and forgive 70 times 70, and go the second mile with him who compels you to go a mile. From what I see, they must preach from a different Christian Bible than what I read.

Everyone is indeed entitled to worship the way they chose, but to take something this minor to this extent not only robs the city of valuable money, but diminishes the value of Christian belief. You are taking money away from the very community we live in and, since you are "mostly active-duty military members and their families," you likely won't even be here in ten years. Is this really the way to show others they love them as much as they love themselves?

Shauna Williams