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Editor:
I would like to address my comments to Anthony Ashley ("Come out, come out - wherever you are," Oct. 11), Marianne Strnad (Homosexuals should not trash other's beliefs to justify their lifestyle choices," Oct. 16) and all those struggling with their sexual orientation. I think that both Miss Strnad and Mr. Ashley ignore a viable lifestyle that incorporates both homosexuality and Christianity.
Miss Strnad, you are about to get your wish of hearing that there are gays without the person speaking trashing (some) Christians. I, and my life partner, are both Christians and gay. Additionally Miss Strnad, I have read and researched the Bible cover to cover as I obtained a degree in theology. I want you to know that there do exist gay and lesbian Christians that believe full-heartedly in the Gospel and interact with the Creator in healthy and right relations.
Mr. Ashley, I agree with Miss Strnad that your appraisal of the Bible and a religious tradition was flippant and unstudied. I know that with the right wing, Bible-thumping, hell and damnation Christians and who we love are incompatible. Mr. Ashley, I challenge you to move beyond this appearance and embrace the diversity of the gay and lesbian community to which you belong. I challenge you to analyze the viability of the lesbian/gay Christian lifestyle. I challenge you to read certain gay and lesbian theologians such as Carter Heyward and John J. McNeill. The presentation you gave of our homosexuality as incompatible with Christianity denies many people a viable and fulfilling lifestyle.
Finally, I wish to address all those who are dealing with questions of sexual orientation. Miss Strnad, Mr. Ashley and the advertising campaign "There is another way out" all presume an inability for an individual to live as a healthy homosexual and a healthy Christian. This is obviously not the case if you study theology and realize that the Creator God made you and loves you exactly as you are.
Another way out does exist, one that Mr. Ashley and Miss Strnad do not present. That way out is to love and accept who you are, to accept how the Creator made you then embrace God for the gift of life that you have received. Altogether, please bear in mind that the lesbian/gay Christian lifestyle is a viable and worthwhile alternative that embraces both our humanity as well as our spirituality.
Brian Adams-Thies
graduate student, Latin American studies
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