LETTER: Argument shows bad side of religion

Talk about it

To the Editor:

I have been following the letters recently between various local religious leaders and area residents concerning the topics of homosexuality and marriage equality. Most of the letters have been between one Christian to another, accusing them of misinterpreting this and that. I am an atheist and reject all religion but I would like to offer my perspective of all the infighting.

First, I would like to address the Rev. Kristi McLaughlin. I respect the message of you and the United Church of Christ in wanting to be accepting to the homosexual community. However, in my opinion, those that have said the Bible is against homosexuality are correct. The Bible says very specific things in regard to the topic, as was pointed out in a Jan. 7 letter. While the UCC has been very open minded in regard to accepting changing attitudes throughout its history, many pious individuals such as Mr. Shaw and Mr. Sibson obviously consider your denomination as much of a cult as was David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. Being able to identify the bigotry of the past has left you in the form of the Christian apologetic, trying to rationalize away scripture that can no longer apply in a world that rejects the idea that one man is better than another. A world that has also rejected the biblical condonation of slavery and subjugation of women.

In regard to the gentlemen who wrote in condemning McLaughlin, I would suspect most Christians could only dream of attaining such a lofty view of morality whilst standing atop of their religious pedestals. You, sirs, represent everything that turned me away from Christianity. You say you worship a God of love, yet in the same breath you can condemn others to a supposed hell for breaking the laws in your antiquated book.

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