
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991                   TAG: 9102200485
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS

A JAN. 21 letter said that God made homosexuals and he makes no mistakes. My letter is not an attack on those particular citizens. In that God made everyone, the statement is true; but I wish to place it in its proper perspective.

God also made murderers, rapists, arsonists, thieves, child abusers, etc., etc., but he did not give them license to fulfill those tendencies. He gave us a moral code and instructions in self-discipline and responsibility.

Though one may be born to be extremely aggressive, murdering or raping to fulfill that tendency will never be lawful. Kleptomania is considered an illness, yet lack of control of it is considered a crime.

I am not necessarily making comparisons between the groups mentioned. I am simply using a few examples to make a point: God does not cause anyone to do wrong. We are responsible for our actions. We are subject to error and will easily do so when restraints are removed. We are responsible for maintaining the necessary restraint/self-control to do right.

To say "God made me this way," or "This is just the way I am," does not and will not excuse unlawful, immoral and/or improper behavior. JOYCE HODGES SALEM

by CNB