House Bill 757, the religious liberty bill, is vetoed and I applaud Gov. Nathan Deal for his position not to sign into law a bill riddled with hidden bias and hatred.

The hidden danger is in the fact that hatred and bias in all forms is now on center stage for the whole world to see. For some people, there is a segment of society that suggests a minority population and their rights should be done away with. This position seems to imply that only a small number of people are capable of having their souls saved and, religiously, the rest are doomed to be lost.

Down through the years a constant struggle has ensued between gender, race, cultural difference, age, the haves and have-nots, government and its subjects, religious rights and freedom — and, lately, one’s sexual orientation.

I will refrain from using the term “those” people because it bears a negative tone. Instead, I will say specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. They also have a soul to save.

My mission as a preacher is to fight for the least and the lost in pointing them to the one who will receive their souls. It is not my duty to condemn anyone who is different, but rather embrace them with an eye of understanding and a compassionate heart.

My biblical teaching has taught me that whoever can come to God will not be turned away. Therefore, I am not superior or inferior to any human being, or fear that which I don’t understand, but share the gospel.

One amendment was enacted to address religion, in which no form of government shall infringe upon: the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gives religious protection to minorities without reprisal.

Minorities in this case are LGBT, which should be protected and not cast away. Fear is the most dangerous tool of mass destruction — not just the fear of others, but the fear of oneself. That is until one gets in touch with his or her own skin within.

The responsibility and obligation as I see it is not to attempt to destroy people, but point the soul to the saving grace of the creator God.

the Rev. Evelyn Johnson
Bethel AME Church, Gainesville