Have you ever found yourself on the horns of an ethical dilemma? For instance, you might really want to buy something and find that the only store selling it also mistreats a friend of yours who works there. Or perhaps, you want to donate funds to a good cause and you learn that at least one of the sponsors is preaching ideas you cannot support?

Aug. 7, the fourth annual 5K Run/Walk for People with Down Syndrome will take place at 9 a.m. just in front of The Summit Church. This is a wonderful cause to support and a healthy way to do it. So, what’s the problem? For me, the problem is that Heath Rainwater of Firewall Capital Management and The Vine Christian Ministries is one of the sponsors.

April 19, 2010, Mr. Rainwater used the Church Corner of this newspaper to criticize families with same-sex parents. According to Mr. Rainwater, both he and God see homosexuality “as vile and as defying nature and His will.” I happen to know at least one family who includes two moms and their wonderful son who has Down Syndrome. I’ve known them for a while now and not once have they been “vile,” “unrighteous,” “sinners” or “an abomination to God.”

Mr. Rainwater also writes, “Crazy thing about God – he loves us just the way we are.” Now, that I do believe. So, what am I going to do about supporting this 5K run on Aug. 7? I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll participate and wear a T-shirt that says, “All means all.” Perhaps I’ll just send my donation straight to the special needs programs in Enumclaw schools.

Sheerie Slatton

Enumclaw