Not all Christians worship a homophobic God

To the editor: Thanks to Richard Rodriguez for an intelligent perspective on the condemnation of homosexuality by all Abrahamic religions and the enlightening viewpoint that it is a condemnation of love between two people. (“Is the God of Jews, Christians and Muslims a homophobe?” Opinion, June 15)

I am a Christian with far different views than the fundamentalist culture in which I was reared, and it is still with some trepidation that I “come out” to others as a Christian for fear of being associated with some well-respected leaders who stand for hate and fear (the list is long with very familiar names). Right here in the Coachella Valley this week, Southwest Community Church, the largest and most respected Christian congregation in the area, announced the departure of its senior pastor because he refused to condemn homosexuality.

I don’t think these Christians realize how much their attitudes contributed to the consciousness that provoked the killings in Orlando. If people only realized how much our moods contribute to broader feelings that breed either good or evil events, I believe everyone would be much more careful of whom they condemn.

Christopher Knippers, Palm Springs

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To the editor: Religions are invented by humans and are therefore subject to the shortfalls of personality and psychology. But the “desert God” whom ancient peoples wished to know turned out to be not so interested in the religions they were inventing as in a love relationship with them.

Jesus entered history to show the extravagance of that love. Religious laws can’t define or confine it.

Most of us live in a different kind of desert today, but modern life can feel just as dry and empty. We are thirsty for the radical love of God. When love is absent, humans seem to compete for how much pain they can cause themselves and others. Today, they strive to be famous for it-— a way to feel “loved.”

But occasionally we see people, from anywhere and from any walk of life, demonstrate an astounding level of selfless love for others. When this happen, we are still blown away.

Lynn Aldrich, Glendale

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