Religious Views on Gays, Prop. 22
Re “Debating Faith and Sexuality,” Feb. 22: Can all these different religious leaders be right? Larry Stammer brings together quite a mix--from Jerry Falwell to Edwin Bacon to Scott Rae. Does it bother anybody else that none of these self-appointed religious authorities can agree on Bible teaching? Here they are, going to their seminaries and theology schools to supposedly learn about the Bible and how to teach it and yet can’t agree on something so basically fundamental as homosexuality being wrong.
Stammer at least pointed out that the scriptures do condemn homosexuality, by quoting from Romans and Leviticus.
ALAN R. BYLER
Burbank
*
Are not the anti-gay religious types the same sort that in an earlier era condoned slavery, prohibited blacks from joining their churches and fervently maintained that a woman’s place is in the home?
RON WHITTAKER
Palm Springs
*
We are opponents of Prop. 22 who are well aware of the fact that the majority who support it do so in the belief that they are obeying God’s will--and it is precisely that fact that alarms us. Although there are no “gods” in whose name unspeakable evils have not been committed, true democrats still must ensure that the religious among us, of whatever creed, are enabled to worship freely. By the same token, we must also strive to prevent any religious faction, no matter how popular, from imposing its supernaturally based strictures upon the rest of us.
Isn’t that just what the supporters of Prop. 22 are striving to do? And isn’t that effort just the kind of behavior that is banned by our Constitution?
HANS LEDER
JUDITH REMY LEDER
Fullerton
*
I will be voting yes on Prop. 22. As with most elections, I discussed all the issues with my two grown-up children and my husband. We all agreed that it is very sad indeed that we must vote on a definition of marriage.
In this country, marriage has always been between a man and a woman. The marriage of a man and woman is the foundation of a home, the smallest political unit in our great country. There must be a way to be fair and equitable to people who feel they need something else without destroying this time-honored institution.
BETTY JUMP
Coto de Caza