When Beth Stroud publicly announced her inappropriate relationship, she personified the depth of confusion with which contemporary society views traditional Christianity ("Faith, Homosexuality Not Opposing Stances in Debating Gay Issues," Jan. 24). As a Christian, I support being open and honest despite the ramifications, but this does not mean that valor justifies sin.

The self-centered thinking which makes individual enlightenment and the perfection of the "whole self" the goal of spiritual growth does not allow for the realization that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Stroud is ignoring the presence and the effects of sin, and therefore eliminating the need for the Savior for whom she claims to work. I wholly agree that we are to "love all other people," but this does not entail blindly ignoring or even embracing their transgressions. We are called to do something much more difficult; to love others so much that we raise them to a higher standard of morality. This requires an investment of our own time and effort into the lives of others, which is not consistent with contemporary selfish thought.

Faith in God allows us the freedom to transcend the shifting perspectives of society by providing unalterable laws. Jesus states in John 14:15 that our obedience is a measure of our love. When we refuse to acknowledge the authority of His laws and turn instead to our own understanding we give our service to a lesser, more impotent god; ourselves.