We are a nation of many faiths, ideas

Reply to the “open letter on marriage and sexuality:”

This isn't your town. It's not your county. Not your state. Not your country. Not your world. Your own Bible even says you're not to be of this world.

You are welcome and free to live here and practice your beliefs — and so is everyone else.

Our society is a mixture of ideas. It cannot be ruled by a single belief. Your concept of marriage and sexuality is yours and you may practice it. 

You cannot tell others how to get married.

Gay people exist. We’re not trying to convert anyone. We don't choose to be gay. Why would we choose to risk being disowned, hated, and ridiculed? Gay and trans identities are not a social contagion. Gay and trans people everywhere are saying this. And you refuse to accept our testimony.

But we're expected to accept your emotional, “spiritual” experiences as fact.

If you're not going to listen to us, why should we listen to you?

I do not care about all those Bible verses you referenced. It's not my Bible. So it does not rule my life, or my ideas about marriage or sexuality. And I am not the only one.

Not every Christian agrees with your interpretation of the Bible. Not everyone is a Christian. There are many other faiths in this town, this state, this nation.

As a nation of many faiths, we cannot be ruled by one.

I therefore denounce your letter as irrelevant.

McCALLUM MORGAN

Bonners Ferry