I am writing in response to a Feb. 1 letter titled “Every person has a right to practice his or her religion without justification.” You say that as Christians you do not hate gays. Well, I have news for you. You don’t have to hate someone to act hateful toward them. Denying those of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community the basic rights to marry is telling them that their love is not legitimate. Do you deny rights to people you love? If you do, you shouldn’t. You may believe that those of the LGBT community are sinners, but there are many people who disagree with you.
As an Atheist, I do believe in tolerance and acceptance, and I practice it. What I don’t believe in, which it seems to me that you do, is treating one religion with preference over others.
You can think all homosexuals are going to hell — you can believe whatever you want. What you can’t do is bully those of the LGBT community or deny them rights simply because your version of your religion believes they’re bad. I will fight for your right to practice your religion and that’s what true tolerance is about, but your right to practice your religion ends when you try to bully or deny rights to others.
Laura Bradley
State College, Pa.
