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I read the Times Leader every day via the app. I have read many letters from Mr. Bill Sarnak of Harding. The letters often are malicious toward the LGBTQIA community, and he cites the Bible as “proof.”

In response to his latest installment of rhetoric, please allow me to offer another point of view.

First, I gather that the writer believes that the “word of God” is what decides what is right or wrong. I used to be a Christian and believed very strongly in God. I came to the conclusion that the Bible was written – and rewritten again and again – by man, not God. Man is fallible, right? I think we can all agree on that, so I don’t put all of my eggs in one basket when it comes to interpreting the Bible.

Second, Sarnak seemingly believes that each individual chooses through his or her “own will” what sexual orientation they will be. I assume he believes that because scientists haven’t identified a “gene determining sexual orientation.” Does that mean, if scientists could prove that God doesn’t exist, that Sarnak would no longer be a Christian? He has blind faith in an unseen God, but can’t believe that sexual orientation isn’t a choice?

He is right in his statement that there are genes that determine gender. But I feel he’s wrong when he writes: “God leaves no room for mistakes; no one is born with the wrong gender.” What about the babies who are born as hermaphrodites or pseudohermaphrodites? What about children born with disabilities? Seems to me as if there’s plenty of room for error.

Gender and sexual orientation are two completely different things.

The LGBTQIA should not be anyone’s scapegoat. Maybe Mr. Sarnak could focus his energy on things such as corruption, greed and hate that are truly tearing this country apart, instead of on people who only want a fair shake at living comfortably, like the majority.

Being gay, transgender, black, Christian, rich or poor doesn’t make you a good or bad person. Being a good person is what each individual gets to choose. So be good, be kind and be accepting of diversity. God says, “Love thy neighbor,” right?

V. Lower

Wilkes-Barre

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