To the editor:
For nearly seven decades, I have tried to attend Mass each week, whether in the U.S., Canada, Mexico or Europe. This summer for the first time, I was told at Mass how to vote and was asked to contribute to the “Yes on One” campaign. I attended Mass on Sunday at Portage Lake, and they read a statement saying that the $100,000 or $150,000 already spent on the “Yes” campaign was not church funds. From what I have since read and observed, I believe this statement to be false. I have met and been friends with many wonderful priests over my lifetime. I realize that they have to follow the Bishop’s directives.
I have gay and lesbian friends, some raising families. Some of them are better Christians than I am, and I never met a single one who chose to be gay. This campaign was about more than allowing gays to have the same rights and protections as the rest of us. It was about giving them dignity, respect and acceptance in all life.
Some distraught parents and grandparents have worked for years to keep their children and grandchildren attending the Catholic and Protestant churches. The young people heard from the altar that gay marriage was beneath contempt and by extension gays in general. For the first time in nearly 70 years, I considered staying away from Mass and not having to listen to the Bishop’s recording, and views by his spokesmen. I decided that they are not going to drive me out of my church. I was born a Catholic and I will die a Catholic. To me, it is sad that some people have stopped going to church. Jesus said, “thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. St. Peter was the first Pope.
For people to have a philosophical difference on any subject based on facts and to vote accordingly is fine. What is not fine is when lies and distortions are used in the campaign. By overturning this law, it further contributed to the perception of some people that gay and lesbian people are inferior. Some of the “Yes” people stopped at nothing to scare people. They mentioned things that are not allowed or condoned by civilized people such as siblings marrying each other, relations with animals and inferred that this is what voting “Yes” will prevent.
One of the biggest lies used to scare people was that our kids were in danger of having a gay curriculum taught in our schools. The Attorney General and several prominent lawyers said this charge was bogus, but this did not stop the “Yes” people from continuing to use this scare tactic.
If enough lies are told and enough people are scared, the results of the vote are never in doubt. I was surprised and dismayed that the Bishop helped finance this effort.
I was impressed by the gay and lesbian people and their families who bared their souls; you contributed to better understanding and helped spread tolerance. For this you won a victory.
I respect all people and all religions, and those who do not belong to any religion. To all the gays and lesbians, the sick and marginalized people in this country and for generations not yet born, I say, “God loves you”. For what it is worth, I love you too.
Westfield
