Bob Bethel, in his letter ("Bible denounces gay relationships," Oct. 31), cites verses from the Old Testament to support his assertion that "what is best for America" is to "(stand) up against any person running for any political position or any person or organization that believes in, approves of, and/or promotes same-sex marriage." He also asserts that Bible-believers cannot support them.
Obviously, many Americans, including lots of other, more open-minded Bible-believers, have formed contrary opinions.
Who among us who count same-sex couples and stable and loving same-sex households among our friends and families do not appreciate that it is better to widen the family circle than to narrow to exclude homosexuals? And how many of us are truly narrow-minded and arrogant enough to say that e pluribus unum actually applies only to the few who hold fundamentalist Christian beliefs?
Bethel claims his way would "bring back America to its original standards." Perhaps he is referring to the days of religiously inspired witch trials and such.
I think that, for the most part, Americans have become a little more enlightened than that, a little bit more appreciative of our diversity and a little more respectful toward fellow citizens of different orientations and persuasions.
Religious tenets should apply only to religious believers, and believers who are U.S. citizens should "get with the (American) program."
AL CANNISTRARO
Clifton Park