Same-sex marriage affects everyone

In response to Tom McCartan (July 31 letter): Yes, even those who practice homosexual behavior are equal to other people in the eyes of God - equally able to be forgiven of their sin if they repent of it.

Whether people choose to be oriented toward same-sex attraction is irrelevant - same-sex behavior is always chosen; one does not have to participate in sexual relations. Rights should never be based on sexual orientation or chosen sexual behavior.

“Judge not ... ” is one of the most abused passages of Scripture; the teaching is about hypocritical judgment. We are indeed called to judge behaviors; we are indeed called to make righteous judgments. How else then do we make anything a crime?

There is no such thing as same-sex marriage. You can call a dandelion a rose but it remains a dandelion nevertheless. Same-sex marriage isn't about rights - it is about getting entitlements and destroying the institution of real marriage. Inheritance rights, visitation rights, etc., can all be made by legal contracts.

We will all be personally affected by same-sex “marriage” when the law makes it illegal for anyone to speak against it, let alone how it will detrimentally affect society as a whole.

Glenn E. Chatfield

North Liberty