If state’s inclusive, why not religion?

If state’s inclusive, why not religion?

When I was a child attending St. Mary’s in Wisconsin, Father Haussmann would often teach “religion” class. He would ask us, “Who made you?” And we were taught to respond, “God made me.” We were taught that God made all of us, not some of us or most of us but “all” of us.

Statistics indicate that roughly five to 10 percent of us are born gay. So, why do so many religious leaders with fancy titles denigrate and condemn these children of God? Father Hausmann never said that God made most of us, except for those who are gay. He said “All of us.”

How can religious leaders, who can’t read the mind of the person next to them, claim to be able to read the mind of God? Isn’t this the height of arrogance? Besides, if these leaders really could read God’s mind, wouldn’t they all read the same thing and agree?

I think our nation would be best served if religious leaders would be quiet and allow our secular state to exhibit the compassion and inclusiveness which eludes them. If religious institutions want to exclude groups from membership, that is their right. But, in this country, we have separation of church and state. And, it is time for the state to ensure equal treatment for all and pass “Same sex” marriage. If the state can be compassionate and inclusive, why can’t religious institutions? One would think that it would/should be the other way around.

John S. Strauss

Campton Hills