Religious case weak against gay marriage

Betty Biggerstaff's July letter typifies the misunderstanding, fanaticism, and close-mindedness of those who demonize homosexuality and gay marriage on religious grounds.

First, Ms. Biggerstaff falsely asserts that the majority of Americans are against homosexuality and gay marriage. The irrefutable fact is that according to every reliable poll, Americans, a majority of whom are Christian, overwhelmingly accept homosexuality and gay marriage.

Second, Ms. Biggerstaff and those sharing her beliefs hypocritically petition for federal government intervention when it comes to prayer in public schools, strict anti-abortion laws with no exceptions for rape and incest and bans on gay marriage. And when they lose these political and legal fights, they cry foul and demand that the federal government stay out of it.

Third, the religious rights of Christians or members of any religion are equal to, not paramount to, the religious rights of Christians who accept homosexuality and gay marriage. These churches believe that God discriminates against no one and unconditionally welcomes all of his children. Isn't such love and acceptance the cornerstone of Christianity?

Gays and lesbians are indeed God's children, as you are. They did not choose to be gay, just as you did not chose to be heterosexual. They were born gay. And, if you believe God is infallible then you must believe that God intended that they be born gay. And if such is God's will, God certainly would not deny someone who is gay a place in his church.

Shouldn't gay Christians then be allowed to marry in their church pursuant to their religious freedoms?

Gays yearn to marry not to mock religion or to infringe on religious liberty, rather because they embrace the notions of love, marriage, and happiness. And no religion should be able to deny them that.

Mike Fanella

Arlington Heights