What’s abominable?

How are a ham sandwich and a homosexual the same? They are both an abomination before God, according to Leviticus, who it seems is so far out of mainstream with the primary thrust of ancient Hebrew teachings that even orthodox Jews today look suspiciously upon him. Paul mentioned once among all his letters and messages that he also was opposed to homosexuals marrying.

If our lord and savior Jesus Christ opposed any aspect of homosexuality, he did not mention it, nor is homosexuality listed as one of the seven deadly sins.

The message of Christ’s life is love. The message on the cross is forgiveness. It is beyond me why so many people who refer to themselves as Christians are opposed to gays marrying. All that is required to ease their meddling minds is to not marry one.

Many believe marriage must be between one man and one woman because this is a “tradition going back thousand of years.” The ancient Hebrew allowed marriage between one man and several women. Biblical Hebrews owned slaves, but I’m sure every sane citizen in the U.S. is opposed to slavery.

Interestingly, Jesus is quoted in Matthew as saying a man cannot divorce his spouse unless the spouse has committed adultery. We don’t hear much about people being against this sin, perhaps because too many have a problem casting the first stone.

JAMES WILLIS

Little Rock

Terrible error made

I believe that judges ruling that gay or lesbian couples can marry are making a terrible error. They should instead be ruling that marriage was instituted by God to be a union of one man and one woman, and that they do not have the authority to try and change the word of God.

STEPHEN PITTS

Conway

Thankful for freedom

I had to laugh when I read the letters from David Lindsey, Michael Sanders, Bob Scott, Sherrie Case, Tom Alstadt, and especially Mike Werkman when he said “Now that conservatives have lost the culture war …”

These folks seem to have the idea that Christianity is the religion of our country and should be embraced by all, but do not realize how lucky they are to live in this great land where they can worship as they please and have the right to make fools of themselves.

In countries that do not have freedom of religion as we do, people do not have this right, like the woman in Sudan who will be put to death for marrying a Christian and will not reject the decision.

If these people are Christians, I think they should practice tolerance as Jesus would want them to do. Jesus said the second greatest commandment next to loving God is to love your neighbor as yourself. When Peter asked the Lord if he should forgive seven times, Jesus answered no, 70 times seven.

What are these people doing with these passages when they complain about homosexuals? Like most of you, I do not understand homosexuality, but I see my job as a Christian to accept them and love them as best as I can as a witness to my lord.

The Constitution protects our right to believe what we wish, and how we wish. It does not make Christianity the religion of our country, whether you like it or not. How would you feel if another religion was the religion of the country and you could not worship as a Christian? Be thankful you live here, and be tolerant.

FRANK YOUNG

Bella Vista

All in world together

It is disconcerting to me that so many people are expressing their disgust related to same-sex marriage. The venom expressed in dozens of letters to the editor is a sad commentary.

Being so intolerant and judgmental of others who may be different from you is not a good thing. It is debilitating.

Many continue to use the Bible to justify intolerance and bigotry. It continues to be used against, or for, whatever one wants in order to reinforce personal prejudices. I believe having so much disdain and hatred in your heart is detrimental to you and it spills over to others, which is extremely hurtful.

The God I can believe in is a loving God, one who is deeply saddened at all this vitriol, divisiveness and loathing.

We need to do better toward others, whether we agree with them or not, whether they are just like we are or not. We are all in this world together and it is up to each of us to make it a better, kinder world.

JANICE CHOATE

Little Rock

For children’s future

In our bodies, both hands work to feed us. In the body politic, there may be less cooperation and differences of opinion on what is best for the body.

But now we are faced with an enemy so common to all of us that cooperation is urgent. Paul Krugman, in his column on May 13th, mentions differences in opinion on climate change, but not that there is growing agreement that climate change is human-caused and a federal policy is needed to reduce carbon emissions. Krugman does mention that economists in the second Bush administration “wrote paeans to ‘market based’ pollution controls,” and that “conservatives extol the magic of markets and the adaptability of the private sector.”

So do progressives. I believe the best solution to this common enemy of global warming is a revenue-neutral carbon tax. It is a market-based pollution control that would obviate the need for EPA regulations, balance the books on the external costs (damage to health and environment) of burning fossil fuels, incentivize renewables without the use of subsidies, and it would be a boon to the economy. The Regional Economic Model study done of the impact of a revenue-neutral carbon tax in California showed that an aggressively priced carbon fee and dividend, with revenue returned to the public, would actually grow the state’s economy and increase jobs.

I think conservatives and progressives can agree on this. We may be two sides but we are one body, and we can cooperate for the future of our children.

SHELLEY BUONAIUTO

Fayetteville

Should be permitted

If any organized religion wishes to prohibit same-sex marriages within their respective churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, etc.—then those religious groups should have their beliefs respected.

However, I believe that if a same sex couple wishes to have a legal marriage, performed in a courthouse, then that should not be prohibited by state laws.

There are many civil rights associated with marriage that a “domestic partnership” cannot cover. I was in a same-sex marriage that ended with my spouse’s death over four years ago. Our relationship of 12 years was loving, caring and respectful—and every bit the equal of a heterosexual marriage.

DAVID WILLIAMS

Rogers

Not unconstitutional

Contrary to what Dwight Watson thinks, I believe deigning gays marriage licenses does not rise to the level of unconstitutional, because the Constitution guarantees no discrimination based upon race, creed, color, religion or national origin. Nowhere is whatever you choose to do in your bedroom covered. And I think those of other races, creeds, colors, religions or national origins don’t want the rights they gained to be used by those who wish to have sex with others of the same sex.

And while we’re at it, stop saying “the heart wants what the heart wants” because the heart is not the body part that wants to be in these unions. And don’t call yourself tolerant if you can’t give the benefit of the doubt to my views because they don’t line up with yours.

JAMES NEAS

Conway

Are one and the same

I think legalized same-sex marriage is legalized porn.

WILLIE NELL GRAFF

Bentonville

The important thing

Re “The Kiss”: It’s less interesting what a recent letter-writer will say to his grandchildren about the loving kiss between two young women featured on the front page of the May 11 paper. What’s more important is what he will say to his granddaughter when she grows up and brings home the woman she loves.

CATHERINE ENGLISH

Little Rock