Mrs. Kinzer, my human physiology teacher in high school, was a taskmaster. Her mantra was, “There is no time to waste until you know everything.”

As a teenager, these words seemed daunting. The last thing on my mind was the idea of studying for a lifetime.

However, as I have grown older and “wiser,” I think there may have been an underlying meaning to my science teacher’s words.

Knowledge is not only relegated to books, it can also be gained from living life. You need to use your head and be cognizant of life’s teachings.

Thank you Mrs. Kinzer for those wise words. I just wish it had been sooner than later that I recognized your wisdom.

Early in my adult life, I lived in a world where I chose to see things as only black and white, no other shades or colors were allowed. But as time went on and life’s color wheel was forced upon me, thankfully I can now comprehend and appreciate a wide range of hues other than my own.

I wish Gov. Phil Bryant had had Mrs. Kinzer as his science teacher. Maybe then he would have learned not be so narrowed minded and judgmental of those who are not just like him.

Last week, a former colleague of mine shared a Facebook post by rightwingwatch.org. During the Watchmen on The Wall Conference, Bryant had been presented the first ever “Samuel Adams Religious Freedom Award” for having signed a radical anti-LGBT bill into law.

Watchmen on The Wall is an international evangelical ministry. After the presentation, Bryant thanked the leader of the group, Tony Perkins, and then compared him to a modern-day David, you know, the one that slayed the giant. I guess Bryant perceived Perkins as some type of giant slayer protecting folks from those of us who do not see eye to eye with those who believe that LGBT persons’ freedoms should be limited.

Maybe it would do the governor well to pick up his Bible and do a bit more studying because he even went on to say “all of the secular progressive world had decided that they were going to pour their anger” out on him for pledging to sign the legislation and these individuals were foolish if they thought he could be pressured into backing down. He said Christians like him would line up to be crucified before turning their backs on Jesus.

I think the governor may be speaking with a limited understanding of Christianity. His belief that persons who do not turn their backs on the LGBT community are not Christian and only from the “secular progressive world” is heresy in my eyes.

As Mrs. Kinzer advised, I am still learning, but as a Christian it is my understanding that Christ came in the name of love for all, not judgment of some.

In fact, as I recall, Jesus was the most non-judgmental and non-religious among those of his time. He even ate with the tax collectors and defended the prostitutes despite the religious authorities’ criticism of him!

I am sure before I come to the end of my time to gather knowledge, I will undoubtedly learn even more. I challenge Gov. Bryant to do the same.