After reading the paper on Saturday (8/28/99), I must admit to being dismayed as to how the Bible continues to be misused to support hatred, condemnation and prejudice. In regard to Prairie Public TV airing a documentary on homosexuality, Harold Rietz, a Lutheran pastor, was quoted as saying that he's "read his Bible many times...and found 60 different passages regarding homosexuality." I publicly challenge Pastor Rietz to produce his list; I don't believe he can. It's pastors and churches that preach condemnation of people that kept me a borderline Christian for many years. Often these are the same churches that preach that women shouldn't be in ministry because "the Bible says so." One may recall that we also used the Bible to support slavery. The Bible does say, "Slaves, be obedient to your masters." That's support, isn't it?

Vickie Bailie also wrote in response to a column by Marie Cocco that "the Bible is very clear about homosexuality." The Bible, to me, is very, very clear about something. When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus said, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength AND love your neighbor as yourself." Those who condemn homosexuals indicate by their loathing that they do not love. Sure, they reply that they hate the sin but love the sinner, but that's a convenient way of splitting hairs to make their condemnation look better. The Bible is used by such people as a hammer to bludgeon people to death--any people of whom they do not approve. I can only say that God weeps!

Truth is, Jesus never spoke one word about homosexuality. If it were such a big deal, wouldn't he have said something? Instead, he kept telling us to love, and that judgment belonged to God.

I find it fascinating that conservatives use the Levitical codes to condemn homosexuality, yet they don't quote these same codes to prevent playing football (don't handle pigskin) or to prevent wearing blended fabrics (two yarns may not be woven together) or a host of other "sins." Do some codes apply while others don't? Paul is also quoted to condemn homosexuality, but in another letter, Paul tells us that those who are unmarried should remain that way, that only if they can't practice self control should they marry. Do we ever quote him on that? How many of us raise our children to remain celibate for a lifetime?

There is no word in either Hebrew or Greek which is equivalent to "homosexuality." No word! The implication is that people in such cultures condemned it, yet they had no word for it. Peculiar, don't you think? The fact that certain conservative Biblical translations include the word "homosexuality" doesn't mean it's there; it isn't. It isn't there in the original King James version and it's not in any of the most scholarly Biblical versions like the NRSV or the NIV. To distort translations to support hatred and condemnation is manipulation--and it's done in the name of God!

People who believe homosexuality is a choice have a strange and warped sense of humor. Who would choose something that is loathed and condemned by so large a portion of the population? Why would anyone do that? Has anyone checked the statistics on teenage suicides lately? A high percent are attributed to the fact that gay teenagers cannot bear the thought of growing up in a world in which they're hated. Wouldn't it be much easier for them to "just change"--that is, if it were "just a choice?"

Perhaps it's time to stop using the Bible against other people and use it for the reason it was written: to show us a loving God who believes all of creation is good. ALL of it, not just the parts we like!