THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 1, 1995 TAG: 9503010010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Regarding your recent reports concerning Mel White's visit to Norfolk and his past association with Pat Robertson: As an openly homosexual Christian, I strongly agree with what Mr. White says and I am happy that someone is finally calling Mr. Robertson on his campaign against the gay and lesbian population of this country.
As one who has seen the ``700 Club,'' as well as numerous interviews with Mr. Robertson and his cohorts (including Ralph Reed of the Christian Coalition), I can attest that Mr. Robertson is consistent in his misstatements about gays and lesbians. He manipulates passages from the Bible to advocate his anti-gay sentiments.
It seems members of his audience believe exactly what he says without looking into it for themselves or trying to educate themselves.
What the Bible says about homosexuality is no excuse for Mr. Robertson's actions. Contrary to what a spokesperson of his told your reporter, Mr. Robertson bears some responsibility for hate crimes against gays and lesbians. People hear his rhetoric and use that as an excuse to speak of ``faggots'' and ``dykes,'' to throw eggs or bottles at gay/lesbian-owned businesses and even to firebomb the homes of gays and lesbians or murder them.
Those same people listen to the pastors they love and trust tell them that gays and lesbians are evil, sick, deranged, inhuman individuals whose only purpose is to convert their children and perform devious sexual acts with one another.
Violence against gays and lesbians happens every day, all because of what the Bible says and how some people interpret its words.
Christ preached love - the love of everyone. He did not pick and choose whom to love, nor did he allow his disciples to love discriminately or conditionally. He did not ever condemn gays and lesbians.
Mr. Robertson's attempt to persecute homosexuals and deny them equal and human rights is a moral outrage. I pray that it will end soon.
I believe a Christian to be one who tries to live by what Jesus taught: to be loving toward all, to help the less fortunate, to forgive and not judge. Maybe Mr. Robertson will grasp this Christian concept one day. I hope so.
DANIEL HANLEY
Norfolk, Feb. 27, 1995 by CNB