Vote on Gays

Re “Episcopalians in Southland Reject Stand on Gays,” Dec. 6:

The vote by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles was a rare and courageous statement by the leadership of a major religious community regarding a very difficult issue. Their willingness to not only speak out, but to offer a powerful statement is welcome relief to those of us hoping to move this nation in the direction of more openness and tolerance. Even more rare was the moving and passionate statement by Bishop Frederick Borsch on this subject. It’s much too late to play it “safe.” I would hope that more members of the faith community in Southern California would have this same courage to speak up and be heard.

THE REV. JOHN WALSH, Redlands

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Borsch continues the destructive path that church leaders continue to take regarding homosexuality. By rejecting what the overwhelming majority of Anglican bishops had to say on the issue at the Lambeth Conference earlier this year, they are throwing their lot with the fringe elements of the church and rejecting, once again, what the majority of people in the pews feel on these matters.

It appears to this Episcopalian that church teaching and unity are not as important as dividing and rejecting scriptures’ teaching on homosexuality and in that process, bishops like Borsch can make even borderline racist statements about Anglican bishops in the Third World who actually read the Bible and teach it.

I hope the fact that 105 brave lay members voted against the ridiculous resolution wakes up the clergy and bishops that division is coming if we do not stand with the Bible on these issues.

MARK J. GOLUSKIN, San Gabriel