Clergyman, Parish at Odds Over Gays

* Re “Orange Pastor Quits After Gay Club Flap,” March 18:

So the Methodist Church is still in the Dark Ages.

The mere fact that it was strongly suggested by the officers of the church that Tom Reinhart-Marean resign from the church shows the hypocrisy of the church itself.

We are talking about a man of the cloth who has a view to bring the Methodist Church out of the Dark Ages and into a world where sexual preference is not judged by those who fear the unknown.

Unfortunately, the moral majority does not yet know they are a minority. So the loudness of their voices have to make up for their lack of wisdom.

BILL BANGERT Jr.

Orange

* It was wrong for Pastor Tom Reinhart-Marean to use his title and wear clerical clothes while expressing his own opinion in public and from the pulpit, because the statements were in opposition to the church and Bible he made a commitment to honor.

If the top supervisor of a company deliberately ignored the instructions of the owner and replaced them with what he thought should be done instead, how long would he last in that position?

Consider then the importance of a man representing God to accurately relate God’s word instead of expressing his own viewpoint on biblical issues. Fortunately, his behavior represents an extremely small percentage of the clergy.

ANN KRONE

Anaheim

* I have been a member of First United Methodist Church of Orange for almost 50 years and feel compelled to voice my feelings.

While I felt it was inappropriate for the children’s sermon to be involved in this volatile issue, I have recognized since the first day he served our church that Pastor Tom Reinhart-Marean was committed to causes that speak against bigotry and hatred.

I have nothing but admiration for one who is not afraid to speak out for what he so strongly believes in. Our world needs more with such courage.

JANIS LOPES

Orange