I am skeptical when I read an article quoting the Bible as "proof" for anything, especially if quoting the Old Testament. Becket Gremmels, in his article titled, "Biblical evidence offers proof of homosexual immorality," uses the incident of Sodom and Gomorrah as "proof" that homosexuality is a moral evil.

First of all, the belief that homosexuality was the sin committed by these cities is only popular opinion. Where does it say explicitly in the Bible that this is true? In Ezekiel 16:49 God says, "This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, excess of food and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did abominable things before me."

Nowhere does it say these people were being punished for their sexual orientation. Furthermore, Yahweh in the Hebrew Bible was a wrathful God, one that did not seem to make the most rational decisions. In Exodus, God sends Moses to tell the sons of Levi to "each of you kill your brother, your friend and your neighbor." Using the words of such a violent God as evidence for the immorality of homosexuals is inadequate.

I have no problem with devout Catholics who believe strongly in their faith. I do, however, have mixed feelings about Catholics who submit articles that quote Saint Paul in comparing homosexuals to godless kidnappers, liars, murderers and prostitutes. Homosexuals on this campus already have a difficult time living and getting an education like the rest of us without being oppressed. People with religious objections to homosexuality have a right to their beliefs, but they should refrain from using these types of comparisons purely out of consideration for a human's dignity.

Monika Mehlmann

freshman

Breen-Phillips Hall

Mar. 1, 2002

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