In both the April 10 and 11 issues of The Northern Star you printed copies of Martha Schofield’s letter, “Outdated Sins,” which were responding to Jason Inman’s letter.

I didn’t read his letter, but it is clear that Ms. Schofield’s letter shows a misunderstanding on what is taught in the Bible.

Leviticus isn’t the only passage condemning homosexuality in the Bible. The New Testament (written by the followers of Jesus) finds the apostle named Paul condemning the practice as well.

But Paul doesn’t isolate this “sin.” He includes it in lists condemning any sexual intercourse outside marriage, murder, lying, swindling, being untrustworthy, unloving and unmerciful (see Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:9-11).

It sure sounds like an awful lot of things that were and are commonplace in society.

Also, Ms. Schofield (and this is where your letter “left me somewhat confused”), where did you get the idea that the Bible tells us “to live and let live?”

Was it by example of Jesus—who was killed for preaching his ideals? Or his early followers, who were often persecuted unto death for their beliefs?

Jesus actually commanded that his followers “go and make disciples of all the nations … teaching them to observe all that I commanded” (Mt. 28:19-20).

Does this sound like a “live and let live” philosophy? Truly this is to be done in love, but it cannot be done without Christians confronting those activities that the Bible (and therefore God) calls sinful.

“Truth without love is harsh; love without truth is powerless; truth in love brings freedom” (uncertain authorship).

James A. Kosterman

Post graduate

Engineering