A recent column from Mrs. Kelly Ferguson demands a response since she asks us all to join her in her new-found approval of and her welcome to the homosexual lifestyle. I regret that I cannot accommodate her and I feel that an alternate position must be presented.

By way of background: I have homosexuals close to me and, I’m sure, there are others still in the closet. (I have a very large set of relatives down to the great-great-grandchild level. I am the oldest of my relationship.) I love them all.

Mrs. Ferguson and I have significantly different definitions of love. Her column implies that it includes not only acceptance but approval of other lifestyles. I disagree. For example, if one of my children commits a crime I will still love that child but will vehemently disapprove of the crime. That also applies to activities other than crimes such as deviant sexual practices. I cannot and will not ever approve of homosexual marriage.

I realize that my position here is not exactly aligned with the cultural mainstream but, frankly, I don’t care. My positions are and will continue to be based on considerations far less casual than what other people think.

Let me sum up. I have no malice whatsoever toward homosexuals but I cannot approve of their lifestyle. In my belief system, marriage is an essential element in forming a natural family not a license to practice unnatural sex acts. The key here lies in that old but mostly forgotten saying: hate the sin, love the sinner.

PHIL MEMBURY

Coeur d’Alene