Court’s decision on marriage

Re “Marriage ruling is a religious quandary,” Opinion, May 20

Much has been said about the religious institutions opposing same-sex marriage, but progressive-minded interfaith coalitions have been arguing in favor of it. Gay men and women are human beings, and according to my faith of Islam, all human beings are equal. It is time we set aside prejudices and invite them in to pray along with us and treat them as equals. Let us try.

Ani Zonneveld

Los Angeles

As an ordained Presbyterian minister and moderator of the 213th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), I applaud the recent decision by the California Supreme Court to allow same-sex marriage.

The Bible teaches us that we are all equal in God’s sight. Indeed, Jesus reached out to those who were sexual minorities in his culture. The state Supreme Court decision affirms society’s commitment to equal protection under the law and is consistent with the values of my Christian faith.

Jack Rogers

Pasadena

While some religions are called to change their teachings with the times, it seems as if there is a stability chip missing. There is something ancient and sacred about many religions, and to alter any of them to conform to government laws is ridiculous.

Legalizing same-sex marriages does not mean that religious leaders are obligated to alter the sacred teachings of their faith. Religious leaders carry a responsibility to preserve the sanctity of marriage.

There is a reason church and state are separated, and neither is firmly obligated to follow the other. Many religious teachings are set in stone and discourage conformity to society. How is this marriage case any different?

Katrina Tan

Chino Hills

Re “California gearing up for same-sex marriage licenses,” May 17

Dean C. Logan, acting registrar-recorder and clerk for L.A. County, said about county workers who may be uncomfortable officiating same-sex marriages, “I would not expect that we would put employees who were uncomfortable in that situation in a position to do that.”

Laws prohibit discrimination, and public employees cannot pick and choose their customers. Hate seems to be one of our few growth industries and is amply funded, and now L.A. County will allow such a travesty?

Dennis Marks

Chatsworth

Re “Same-sex case weighed on chief justice,” May 18

Did California Chief Justice Ronald M. George really say, “There are times when doing the right thing means not playing it safe”?

A judge is always supposed to do the right thing regardless of whether that is playing it safe. Does George believe that the three dissenters on the same-sex marriage decision were “playing it safe”?

George’s suggestion that he was not playing it safe might have more credence if he were not the chief justice of the state that had legislatively adopted domestic partnership laws, had twice legislatively passed bills to legalize same-sex marriage, where the major newspapers endorsed same-sex marriage, where the mayors of the largest cities were proponents of same-sex marriage and where the most recent polls showed only a bare majority opposed to same-sex marriage. Significant and groundbreaking? Yes. But not playing it safe? Hardly.

David M. Marcus

Los Angeles