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Tolerance is accepting different views

2 min read

In reference to the Dec. 25 editorial, “Let’s resolve to be more tolerant,” yes, as long as we understand that tolerance is accepting different views and the people who hold them. Reasoned views, not just opinions, and certainly not errors.

The editor cites the view of the United Methodist Church is that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Not so. It is the practice of homosexuality that is proscribed in the Methodist Book of Rules. Similarly, the Roman Catholic Church condemns homosexual behavior, not same sex attraction. The developmental factors of the latter are not precisely known, but the act of same sex physical sexual union is not, and cannot be, a marital union and thus is not acceptable. The ethical principal is to love the person. There is no injunction to love or even accept the behavior.

Such behavior is inherently disordered. That is it is the use of sex to no ordered purpose. It cannot by its nature be generative. Let’s not confuse friendship with sex. Male and female – they are created with bodily and psychic differences with a view to unions that will continue humankind. This is why society legalizes and churches bless marriage. Admittedly, some male/female relationships cannot generate life, but that is circumstantial, accidental not in the natural male/female design.

Jay Jarrell

McMurray

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