Christian zealots, speak for yourself and refrain from speaking for our town.

This past weekend I was offended by the sign prominently displayed by Steve Smith at the corner of Superior and First and clearly visible to all entering Sandpoint. It started fine with "Welcome to Thanksgiving in Sandpoint," but went on in a biblical bent while portraying Thanksgiving as a religious holiday and ending with something about our "Lord savior."

While I have no problem with Mr. Smith making his own personal statement on his own property, this sign appeared to be sanctioned by Sandpoint and to speak for all of us. It did not speak for me. Considering it's heavy-handed endorsement of Christianity, I imagine the sign also offended most Jews, Buddhists, Native Americans, or Muslims etc. that entered town as well.

I am not interested in even a remote connection to any religion that tends toward intolerance, homophobia, spreading fear, or that is responsible, to this day, for centuries of bloodshed. Oh, don't get me wrong. Jesus Christ would be first on my ideal dinner list. Representing the epitome of humility and the highest level of consciousness, I doubt he would like being called "Lord."

On current events. I am quite sure the "Prince of Peace" would in fact deplore our invasion of Iraq, the neglect of our children, the lack of compassion or the poor and the trashing of our environment. It is indeed a tortured and twisted irony that the Republicans hold him forth as representative of their proclaimed divinely guided agenda.

So you religious zealots, please speak for yourself and refrain from speaking for me, or our town.

CHRIS WHITE

Sandpoint