I agree that we should not discriminate against anyone based on their sexual orientation, and I disagree with the decision made to boot said Arabic translator out of the Service simply because he prefers to sleep with other men. However, I don’t agree that we should redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. Even just a couple hundred years ago (practically yesterday when we see how long the institution has been around), marriage was not a function of government at all, but a function of the church. Marriage is, first and foremost, a religious rite that has only fairly recently transitioned into the secular world due to the government’s adoption of the process. My gay friends are awesome, but I can’t see reorganizing society just because they feel left out. Life isn’t fair no matter where you go or what hand you were dealt, but we can’t simply upend the very building block of society in an attempt to cater to everyone, nor can we alter the family pattern that was established, not by our great government, but by God himself.

Now, regarding Prevo and his methodology of hate… I fully agree. What would Jesus do? That seems to be at the heart of your piece. Allow me to tell you what I think Jesus would do. He would hold his ground firmly, but with so much love and compassion that you could in no way feel “discriminated” against. He would condemn the sin (and he does, by the way), but that CERTAINLY does not mean that he feels anything but utter love for those who disobey. You may not agree with how certain preachers present the material (I know I don’t), but if you had studied the Bible in its entirety you would not make such statements regarding the supposed contradictions you pointed out. You must take things in context, and not simply juxtapose two verses and call it profound. It seems that Christians cannot come together on this issue until they realize 2 things collectively: 1. We cannot judge anyone in our hearts, since that is not our job, EVEN IF WE ARE A PREACHER, and 2. God’s absolute love does not equate to doing whatever we please without consequence. Anyone who has children knows that in spite of our boundless love for our kids, we still enforce the rules. And so it is with us and our Heavenly Father.

This is not a cut-and-dried topic, but I’m pretty sure the WWJD approach will work. We just have to be sure of what Jesus would do…

Your columns and articles are always thought provoking.  It seems however, your opionion of Jerry Prevo may reveal more about your personal views than the actual written article.  Specifically I’m referring to the eighth paragraph “I’m sick of how conveniently these Christians....” Doesn’t your global view of Christians link you directly to Jerry Prevo when he states his extremists views about specific groups which in this case are gays?  He does not represent the opinions of all Christians.  In the very next paragrpah you say “Prejudice is ugly and hateful.” Yes, it is no matter where it originates.

Whenever I read about gay issues I realize that almost everyone involved in the debate has missed the boat.  The false notion being that one chooses to be gay.

One morning, say on her 10th birthday, a girl wakes up and decides to become a lesbian!  She chooses to develop a crush on her best friend, instead of the boy sitting behind her.  She then sticks with her decision and goes through puberty in pain, agony, and embarrassment, hiding her feelings from everyone because they are considered by many to be unnatural or worse, the work of the Devil.  Sounds silly, doesn’t it?

A persons true sexual orientation is part of their DNA, as is the color of their eyes and skin, the texture of their hair and the shape of their body.  Some women have huge breasts, others tiny buds.  Some women are attracted to men, others to women.  No one questions if she’s a sinner because she has cellulite!  It’s in the genes; it’s as simple as that...it really is. 

All the quotes from the Bible, Koran, or other religious texts don’t adequately address the situation because the truly gay person never had a say in the matter.  How can you sin when something is beyond your control?  (Truly is the operative word here; I’m not talking about sexual experimentation or drug induced trysts, I’m talking about the honest to God, human being who, from puberty’s awakening, has desired their own gender.)

It’s the hand they’ve been dealt with; dare I say from God?  No amount of therapy is going to fix something inherent.

Talk to people who are gay; I mean really talk to them. Straights and gays alike have had the same childhood experiences; growing up side by side in most cases. 

My brother and I did.  There were no hidden skeletons in our closets...believe me, we found every skeleton there was.  When he “came out” I was the first to know.  Straight from the horses mouth....he had NEVER been attracted to the female sex.  I watched with amazement and humor as my younger sister’s girlfriends threw themselves at him (he was the Rock Hudson type).  He was never tempted - not once.

For those of you who think the Devil made him do it, let me just say that he gave many people spiritual comfort and joy through his music as the organist of the church we grew up in.  He advised my two younger sisters on just about everything.  He was wonderful...and he wasted away and died from AIDS.

As unbelievable as it may seem there are people who actually feel this beautiful human being got what he deserved because the Bible told them so.  Well, live and let live; I can’t change what they are...and they wouldn’t have been able to change him from gay to straight - Let and live let!! (Makes sense that way too!)

Barbara Sue

What she referenced though, was the OT, which was specifically meant for the Jews, and we, being Gentiles were not subject to it.  Secondly, at Christs birth we were brought into the New Testament, the New Law as it was called.  I’m not trying to bash your post, just agreeing that she did misinterpret the scripture.  Again, it can be argued about its validity, but when your going to use it, use it correctly, or don’t use it at all.

Wow, just catching up on the week’s newspapers and read this article.  I love when a writer can take all the jumbled thoughts in my head, on a subject I feel strongly about, and put them into a coherent written order.  Thank you Elise.  P.S.  I disagree with an earlier entry that you, yourself were being prejudiced toward all Christians.  I read that line as a reference you were making to the aforementioned individuals, who have called themselves Christians, yet seemingly pervert Christ’s message to their own benefit.

Yes, I am a christian man,but my lord has taught me to care for all people and to remove the board from my own eye first. I support this ordinance and yes Elise,that should just be a given.