Those who hate gay lifestyle are not 'haters'

Re: April 5 opinion piece from Mande Wilkes, "Easter’s lesson: Beware your government.”

Seriously Mande? You wrote: “I’m wishing and hoping and thinking and praying that homophobics will finally offer a reason other than that ole zinger about the Bible’s disapproval.”

I’m tired of being labeled a “hater” just because I have a different viewpoint.

I have many friends and family who are gay. Do I hate them? Absolutely not.

My brother is gay and I love him dearly. He is my best friend and understands and respects my viewpoint. My belief is that in nature, life continues in the heterosexual lifestyle and not in the homosexual lifestyle. If you want a different lifestyle, you have the right to live as you please as long as it doesn’t harm someone else.

As far as the religious aspect, you either believe the words in the Bible, the Koran and the Torah or you don’t. We can’t manipulate the words to accommodate our worldly views.

I’m new to the Bible, so I’m sure someone more versed can do a better job, but in Leviticus, the Lord tells Moses many things and one is Leviticus 20:13:

“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both have them have done what is detestable.”

Many will say that’s the Old Testament, that Jesus brought new meaning of love your neighbor, making Old Testament laws outdated.

However, Jesus, himself clearly defines marriage between a man and a woman in Mark 10:6-9:

“But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united to his wife and the two will become one.”

I am a Christian and I love those that have different beliefs, lifestyles, cultures, ethnicity, rich and poor. I love those with different views and pray for their peace and utter contentment.

Let us respect each other’s differences without calling each other names. God bless us all because we are all God’s creations.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Those who hate gay lifestyle are not 'haters'."