DEAR EDITOR:

Growing up in two conservative Christian denominations (one Catholic parent and one Evangelical parent), I got used to extreme examples involving violence and death to manipulate my beliefs. Both denominations used the teaching that “Jesus died for my sins,” reminding me how grateful I should be, whenever I challenged religious doctrine in any way. Later in my life, I discovered more progressive forms of Christianity do not necessarily subscribe to this teaching. The government crucified Jesus as a social radical who stood for love, and regarding Jesus as a human incarnation of God is enough for me to keep one foot in Christianity and still see myself as a Christian. And the God I’ve come to know in the depths of my struggles does not require blood sacrifice. Mercy and compassion define the God of my understanding.

Just as “Jesus died for your sins” is used to shut down any critical thought in many Christian denominations, so does, “Abortion is murder,” or “You’re murdering babies.” This emotionally violent and evocative extreme is used to shut down any nuanced conversations about moral complexity or broader interpretations of what it means to be “pro-life.”

Don’t want to look at climate change, the extremely high rates of suicide and mental health struggles in LGBTQ+ folks persecuted by religion, food insecurity, toxic capitalism, or immigration injustice? Go for the jugular to shut people down for thinking for themselves. That’s how I was raised, and I’m glad that I survived it. I hope Ohio does too.

JAMIE MARICH

Formerly of Youngstown

and Warren