Archbishop Angelo Amato, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, denounced same-sex marriage as “evil,” called abortion and euthanasia “terrorism with a human face,” and described abortion clinics as “slaughterhouses of human beings.” While I agree with Amato’s positions, I’m not sure using inflammatory language will change any minds.

Jesus took on controversial issues, but He was known as being full of truth and grace. That’s why many abortion opponents urge people to refer to the procedure as “killing” of human life rather than “murder.” And that’s why Fred Phelps is not going to cause any homosexuals to change their ways by proclaiming “God hates fags.”

Not only must we carefully choose our battles, we must just as carefully choose our words so they, like Christ, are filled with truth and grace.