God does not play favorites

Regarding Norman Sherman's April 10 column "When a Christian is not a Christian," as someone who has gone to a Christian seminary, his assessment is most accurate.

Along with people falling short too often of the foundational tenets Mr. Sherman appropriately listed, there is another notion supporting Christian Nationalism: that God somehow has favorites — and Americans are among them.

In a sadly amusing and uncomfortably insightful exchange between John Adams and Richard Henry Lee in the musical 1776, Lee tries to reassure Adams about attaining passage of the Declaration of Independence when he sings, "I'll admit that God in heaven is everybody's God but I tell you, John, with pride, God leans a little on the side for the Lees, the Lees of old Virginia."

Not only does God have no favorites when it comes to God's love for humanity, God wishes we would love others regardless — including our enemies. A challenging request at any time but especially during an era of intense polarization nationally and internationally such as now.

"Love thy neighbor," indeed.

Rev. Bruce D. Williams

Cedar Rapids, IA