RE "LETTER to the editor," by Robert Eady (July 3): Mr. Eady's letter implies the gay and lesbian community opposes religion. Anti-gays often think we do not participate in religion ... but the world's largest gay and lesbian organization is the denomination called The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, founded in 1968 in Los Angeles, California.

This was founded in the time when no religions were openly welcoming to gays and so we made our own place to worship and to offer acceptance to each other. Today, UFMCC is in many nations with about 300 congregations. People of all orientations are welcome in UFMCC. There are over 40,000 members of UFMCC. One of the largest congregations is in Toronto, and there are several other local churches in Ontario.

Loren V. Fay, Albany, New York, U.S.A.
(We think you're inferring something that wasn't there)

York Daily Record

Letter: Bible references inaccurate

In the July 2 edition of the York Daily Record, Shirley Ruth wrote that she found a PBS program advocating acceptance of homosexuality "shocking and appalling." I am continuously shocked and appalled by the enduring and pervasive homophobia and bigotry that gay and lesbian people experience from some who call themselves Christian.

Ms. Ruth cites the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah as evidence of God's wrath against homosexuals. However, many biblical scholars agree that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah has nothing to do with genuine love expressed between consenting adults of the same sex. When correctly interpreted, this story is a condemnation of inhospitality and reveals that people who attack strangers whom they do not know or understand receive God's castigation. Yet, the inhospitality and homophobia continues in certain churches, schools, offices, and neighborhoods.

Science tells us that homosexuality is not a "lifestyle," but an orientation that is genetically fixed. Theologians tell us that the concept of a "homosexual nature" was not available to biblical writers, making passages that are used to condemn those who are genuinely homosexual by nature inapplicable. Experience tells us that, for a gay or lesbian person, having a heterosexual relationship is acting contrary to nature. Despite this overwhelming knowledge and enlightenment, intolerance and injustice continue.

Some people continue to place greater emphasis on a few mistranslated, misunderstood Bible verses while ignoring what is utterly clear the injunction to love one another to love our neighbor as ourselves. Those of us who are gay and lesbian are your neighbors. We are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, coworkers and friends. We are no longer willing to hide in our closets or do what is unnatural for us. Bravo! to PBS for their understanding and collaboration with us in this fight for justice.

KEVIN HARVEY, YORK

Letter: Bible misinterpreted

In regard to Ms. Shirley Ruth's letter of July 2: What are these people afraid of?

She has misinterpretations. This is not a lifestyle, it is a life. We are your doctors, lawyers, plumbers, radio announcers (YEAH, NANCY!!!!! US HOMO RADIO FOLKS ARE GAY, TOO!), teachers, garbage collector, engineers, bus, truck and cab drivers, nurses, the person at the post office, grocery store, gas station etc. . .

Yes, God destroyed Sodom and Gormorrah. The reason was not homosexuality but abuse and being inhospitable. Too many people are lacking in biblical scholarship and would rather read the words of Scofield than to "search the scriptures" themselves.

The Bible itself will tell her differently. Check out the prophet Ezekiel (16:48-49), he tells that the "sin of Sodom" was pride, excess of food and prosperous ease and not aiding the poor and the needy. Also check Matthew 10:5-15, or Wisdom 19:13 if you happen to have that book in your Bible. Some lesser references to Sodom: Isaiah 1:10-17, and 3:9; Jeremiah 23:14 and Zephaniah 2:8-11. The sins listed are injustice, oppression, partiality, adultery, lies and encouraging evildoers. Adultery is the only sexual sin listed there and even in that case sex itself is not the concern. In the Hebrew Testament, adultery is an offense against justice.

One would think that leaders of a religion originally based on ownership of slaves would think twice before preaching the intolerance of homosexuality.

Not the case.

It is not inconceivable that a few years from now, some Baptists and other "fundamentalists" will find themselves apologizing to gays for spreading an anti-gay agenda. This wouldn't be the first time the "church" would apologize to an entire group of people for directing hatred and bigotry toward them. It takes them quite a few years to catch up to where they should be spiritually.

NANCY ROSEKRANS, AVERILL PARK, NY