This letter is in response to Al Quie’s letter to the editor about the ELCA’s decision to allow homosexuals to become ordained ministers. He stated that he believes that the ELCA has acted against the word of God by making this decision.

As a member of the church, I know that love is the greatest gift that God has given us, and that in no form could it harm the earth. Yet this man and many others use the Bible to justify their hate and prejudices. People need to realize that this is not what God would want his holy word to be used for. By using their faith to discriminate and to hate, people are threatening the very foundation of our faith.

Quie also brought up that this decision was “a travesty to our youth.” I am not a parent, but I believe that most people would want to raise their children to become open-minded and accepting people, not hateful and discriminatory. How has the holy word of God become a weapon of hate prejudice in this world?

Madison Flaa

Albert Lea