Is Dr. Laura’s Anti-Gay Stance Based on Religion or Bigotry?

I feel compelled to respond to Brian Lowry’s column on Laura Schlessinger and her strident anti-gay stance (“Dr. Laura: All Is Fair in Syndication,” Jan. 11). Dr. Laura seems to be getting more and more intolerant. But to justify her bigotry on the basis of Jewish teaching is an insult to Jews everywhere.

The major branches of Judaism do not promote homophobia; they value inclusiveness and tolerance. Some liberal rabbis will perform commitment ceremonies for gay couples. So Dr. Laura in no way represents the majority of Jews when she espouses her hateful views. She’s a bigot and as such is a disgrace to Judaism.

FRANCES SEGAL

Laguna Niguel

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Lowry is usually pretty sensible in his views, but his piece reeked of PC. If Laura Schlessinger or Paramount were to cave in to gay critics of her stance on homosexuality and jury-rigged her proposed television program to appease them, it would strip away everything about the radio psychologist’s appeal that has built her an audience of millions.

Her views on the subject are taken from the Bible itself, which in both the Old and New Testaments has laid out Judeo-Christian moral teaching on the subject of sexual sin. Nor is homosexuality singled out for unique opprobrium. Heterosexual fornication and adultery are also condemned as sins that are deeply offensive to God.

Far from being “defamatory,” Schlessinger has held out to people caught up in this lifestyle who want to get out a loving, compassionate alternative.

JOSEPH DOSTAL

Van Nuys

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It is disturbing that Schlessinger may be televised to the masses as psychology without a disclaimer from the American Psychological Assn. It has found that homosexuality is a normal and healthy form of sexuality because there are no psychological illnesses or conditions that can be associated with it.

Schlessinger’s concerns for Judeo-Christian morality, aside from the debatable theological validity of her interpretation, are explicitly political, signifying her chauvinistic and culturally moribund view that only the received form of morality is psychologically healthy.

Where is the academic outcry over this and the ill-informed content of other gurus pontificating over the talk shows? The issue is not one of free speech, but of fraudulent science.

MARK WREDE

Los Angeles

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I have known Dr. Laura Schlessinger for several years. Her position on homosexuality is based on deeply held religious beliefs and rigorous intellect. Laura, like other well-known personalities, is the target of certain groups because she disagrees with their ideology. This is nothing new. The accusations are sweeping and ugly, because they always attack comments that are taken out of context.

Anyone need only tune into her show to hear Dr. Laura’s positions on any number of topics and decide for oneself what kind of person she is. Hateful people do not rise to Laura’s level of success--not in America, anyway.

STUART KRANE

New Canaan, Conn.

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Krane is a consultant to Premiere Radio Networks, syndicator of Schlessinger’s show.

I am a parent of a son who is gay, and every time another hateful sentence comes out of Laura’s mouth, it is a stab in my heart. This is my child she is speaking about, and the child I know and love is nothing like what she describes.

I also happen to be Jewish, so I really take exception to her using this hate in the name of religion. My husband and I are part of an organization called PFlag/LA (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). My husband is president of the Los Angeles chapter and sits on the national board. I speak on homophobia (yes, it is alive and well in Los Angeles) in schools, churches, businesses, wherever they will invite us.

Thank you for an important and informative piece that will hopefully be read by folks who may be less informed on the topic.

LYNETTE SPERBER

Studio City

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GLAAD would like to silence Dr. Laura Schlessinger because of her religious-based views about homosexuality. More and more, it seems to me that Hollywood liberals, be they gay or straight, are often attempting to keep persons more conservative from having their opportunity to free speech.

I am a Christian, and we share the view of homosexuality that Judaism does: that God considers it an abomination. Lowry did a great job of getting as many shots at Dr. Laura as he could, but at no time was he able to disagree with the fact that homosexuality is sinful, according to the Christian faith and Judaism.

It would be nice if Lowry could have presented both sides of the issue without promoting his immoral pro-gay agenda. And you should know that it is this kind of slanted garbage journalism that made me stop reading your daily paper, save Sunday mornings.

B. DIRK YARBOROUGH

Santa Ana

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This is scary. Yet, I do admit that I listen to Dr. Laura quite a bit. She has this strange attraction. You love her, you listen. You hate her, you listen. And although I’m straight, I think the influence she has on the Christian right could be dangerous for the gay community. I’d bet if one of her fervent followers committed a crime against a homosexual, she probably wouldn’t even blink.

I’m glad she doesn’t think black people are sinful, or I’d be in trouble!

CHRISTELYN RUSSELL

Lancaster