Support tolerance
In matters of faith, the U.S. is known for tolerance. The freedom to practice your beliefs is enshrined in our national consciousness. This is the way it should be. However, those who support a faith have no right to force their beliefs on others.
If you don’t support gay marriage, that’s fine. You don’t have the right to say to others they cannot do so. If you want guns, also OK. Just don’t say God gave you the right to own one.
We abolished divine right a long time ago. That also includes the idea that one religion should be the belief that all should follow. So, if you believe in that old-time religion, that’s your right. Just remember that your ideas are but one of many ethical systems, and you have no evidence that yours is any better than anyone else’s. Also, remember the struggle for ethical supremacy has led to millions of people being killed or tortured. And that’s pretty unethical.
Steve Pendleton, Visalia
This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Support tolerance."