Letter to the Editor

No to same-sex marriage

In the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, NBA player Jason Collins announced that he is gay [homosexual]. This is significant because Collins is the first athlete from the four major American sports to do so. Statements released by the NBA, the White House and former president Bill Clinton praised Collins for his "leadership in this important issue." All three statements encouraged the public to be supportive of Collins and his lifestyle as such support would "demonstrate the evolution of public education for this lifestyle."

No mention was made about the sinfulness of this "lifestyle." Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the practice of this "lifestyle" [sin] [Gen. 18:20 – 19:29]. Solomon, the Israelite king who asked God for wisdom, wrote in Proverbs 14:34: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." The prophet Isaiah stated: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." [Isa. 5:20]

The nation of Israel fell into Babylonian Captivity because they ignored God. We must hate the sin but love the sinner even as God did when He sent Christ to die for our sins. [Rom. 5:8]

Christians, take a stand for the truth of God's word. Express your disgust at the attempt to legitimize sin by the legalization of same-sex marriage to your local, state and national senators and representatives. Make your voice heard.

STEVE SIMMONS, Cape Girardeau