I’ve been wondering something for quite some time and reading Friday’s Northern Star only solidified the confusion for me. When did free speech become unavailable to people of religion? Well, let’s be honest – it’s not all religions, just Christianity. I read each response to Nick Arhos’ column with increasing disbelief. Expressing an opinion – on the opinions page, no less – somehow makes one a hatemonger. That sure is news to me.

I won’t attempt to hide where I stand on this issue. I am a Christian and I believe the Bible to be the word of God. I disagree with homosexuality on principle, but I don’t hate or discriminate against gay or lesbian people. I guess I missed the memo on differing opinions being construed as acts of hate. I disagree with the lifestyle of homosexuals – but hey, guess what? It’s not my life. I also disagree with the Federal Marriage Amendment, not because I believe gay marriage should be legalized, but because marriage is not a federal issue. To say otherwise is stepping on individual states’ rights. Do I disagree with homosexuality? Yes. Do I think it is any more – all right, I’ll say it – immoral than adultery, theft or dishonesty? Absolutely not. God doesn’t rate human actions on a scale of one to 10, so neither will I. If you believe in the crucifixion, you believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was for all of us, not just the heterosexuals.

I suppose my point is this: I recognize that America is not a Christian nation. Diversity is what our country exists on and that includes religious freedom. I’m just not sure when it became so violently anti-Christian. You can say what you want in school, but if it’s about Jesus, you better do it quietly. Don’t let them catch you praying on public property. And for heaven’s sake, don’t write about a viewpoint that’s not currently politically correct.

I fail to see how expressing my opinion on a subject constitutes an act of bigotry. Nor do I understand how Arhos advocating a similar sentiment makes him a hatemonger. Perhaps I’m just being ignorant.

Carrie Hallum

Junior, sociology