Churches Should Defend Gays

* I am certain that Ben Hubbard is somewhat prepared for the spiteful e-mail he will receive (“Churches Need to Take Stand in Gays’ Defense,” Religion, June 6). But our family is grateful for his well-thought-out column.

He presented in an unemotional way the events and people that have been used to attack the homosexual community. We have been involved in the struggle for justice for all God’s children for nearly 40 years and sometimes become almost too discouraged to go on.

Some of the most frightening moments have been when picketers formed at church gatherings of homosexuals and carried signs and chanted slogans of violent hatred. It is very hard to believe that God really loves these people--even though that appears to be the truth of God’s love.

We have always believed that until ministers preach God’s love and hand in the creation of every human being, the loud voices of hatred will continue to seem to speak for the Christian Church.

CAROL HOWARD

Huntington Beach

* A God who discriminates against women and gays is not a God, but a Man that is afraid of the truth.

KARIN GARTEN

Los Alamitos