Editor’s note: The following comment was left in response to “LETTERS: Differences need to be appreciated” on Sept. 21. The letter featured below this comment is a response.

“It is sad when a church succumbs to societal pressures to accept homosexuality as legitimate. I equate homosexuality to alcoholism, in which case the alcoholic seeks treatment for his or her addiction — which is truly what homosexuality is. The Bible is also very clear on this subject. From the very beginning (Genesis), God created man and woman. Notice, it does not say man and man or woman and woman.

“I also find it sad when the Bible takes a backseat to social beliefs or someone’s opinion. The Bible is the living Word of God. On that, there should be no dispute.”

— Jon Stephens

It is sad when members of the society succumb to religious and other indoctrination and reject homosexuality as pathological and illegitimate. Equating homosexuality with alcoholism (or any other addiction) is like equating eating with smoking.

The law of this land is also clear on this subject. From the very decision of our (Iowa) Supreme Court, we are supposed to accept and embrace as equal all our fellow human beings, regardless of sexual orientation. Notice the Court did not say you are allowed to discriminate depending on whether you justify hatred and bigotry with faith or whether you quote the right passages from somebody else’s pre-medieval literature.

I also find it sad when the law of this land and our collective societal advances towards freedom, equality, tolerance, peaceful coexistence take a back seat to religious conservatism, anachronism and dark age attitudes or some fanatics’ opinions.

The laws of our society are the ones that adjust according to current strives, needs, rights and responsibilities. Religious texts do not change and become outdated. On that, there should be no dispute.

George Voutsadakis is a graduate student in computer science.