David Treadwell strongly believes that “not allowing samesex couples to marry is plain wrong” (Letter, April 13, The Times Record). When I insisted that “most Christians simply believe that marriage is for a male and a female,” he attempted to show that recent polling indicates otherwise. However, the poll represents American Christians only. That being noted, his point is well taken that attitudes have shifted rapidly and continue to do so in this country. That’s why it is important to have reasoned public discourse on the subject.

What is more troubling in his letter are: 1) His implicit assumption that popular opinion is a good source for either morality or public policy. 2) His faulty proposal that those persons who do not believe in same-sex marriage should refrain from marrying someone of the same sex. That principle does not work well for all morality or all public policy: If you do not believe in bear baiting, if you do not believe in clear cutting of forests, if you do not believe in strip mining, then don’t do those things; but do not deny others their right to do something you disagree with. 3) His condescending dismissal of those who disagree with him by saying “this whole issue will seem quaint in a few years.”

Not so fast, David. New is not always better. Change is not always an improvement. Morality and public policy are not just matters to be settled by opinion polls, unworkable and simplistic principles like “don’t do it if you are opposed to it,” and insults like “you will be quaint, odd and oldfashioned” if you don’t jump on the current bandwagon.

Sandy Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church of Freeport