Separate isn’t equal

Re “Protection for all in same-sex marriage,” Opinion, May 3

When Robin Wilson claims that exemption laws “allow Americans with radically different views on moral questions to live in peace and equality in the same society,” she forgot to include the word “separate,” as in “Americans will live in ‘separate’ peace and equality.” Separate cannot be, by its very nature, equal. Are gay people citizens or aren’t they?

We have the right to be religious; we do not have the right to impose our religious views on others. The right to religion is secured only by our belief in the fundamental rights of individuals, so we should not seriously doubt that individual rights supersede religious beliefs.

Wilson may lament forcing people “to choose between conscience and livelihood,” but all of us have already made that decision. Ultimately, a religious person can choose another livelihood, but a gay person cannot choose another conscience.

Kevin T. Freeman

Rancho Cucamonga

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In every case Wilson cited, the laws being enforced on the citizens she mentioned had nothing to do with the gay-marriage laws in their respective states. They were fined for anti-discrimination laws that say you cannot discriminate based on religion, race, gender, age or sexual orientation.

So let’s get this straight: She is calling for people to be allowed to break the exact laws that protect their religious freedom and then demand that the law they broke also protect them.

Kelly Wentzel

Redondo Beach