I am writing in response to the Oct. 10 column by Jeff Vogelsang entitled “Homosexuals Deserve Basic Civil Rights, Too.” I am not writing to dispute that issue. However, I will not sit back and let persons such as you, Jeff, make unfactual statements by trying to interpret God and the Bible when you yourself stated that you have “a very poor knowledge of the Bible.” I do appreciate your honesty but anyone who does have knowledge of the Bible would know that you desperately lacked knowledge in that area.

Your concluding comments had little or nothing to do with your article on gay rights. But, since you brought it up, I would like to respond to these false statements.

Anyone who has knowledge of the Bible knows that God forbids homosexuality. Therefore, why would he have created homosexuals only later to condemn them? That idea of yours is contradictory. God didn’t create gays and expect them to be treated like everyone else like your article suggests. No, a gay person probably doesn’t wake up one morning and decide to be gay. He/she chooses this life-style by his/her own free will, and not God’s will. However, we are commanded in the Bible to “Love your neighbor as yourself”—no strings attached. We are to love everyone even though we may not agree with their lifestyles.

Mary Beth Dach

Educational Services and Programs