I am writing regarding the letters about banning same-sex marriages.

Let me begin by saying that this is a topic I believe we will all need to agree to disagree on, because we will never agree. There is no compromise.

I am shocked that so much of the population of Pennsylvania is so closed-minded in 2006. Instead of worrying about who is getting married, maybe we should be more concerned about the government, the schools, the problems affecting our communities, and the many people (Americans and Iraqis) dying for a war without an end.

Many letter writers said they don't believe homosexuals are "born like this." Tell me, do those letter writers then believe homosexuals wake up each morning thinking, "How can I make people hate me and call me an outcast?"

As hard as others make their lives, do people think homosexuals feel as they do out of spite? Can anyone honestly say that people choose to be ostracized?

A marriage is a union of two people who love one another and are pledging to spend the rest of their lives together. As a bride-to-be in a heterosexual relationship, I would rather share the term "marriage" with a thousand homosexual couples who truly love one another than a thousand heterosexual marriages that end in divorce.

If homosexuals should not marry, then do people think overweight people should be allowed to marry? What about sentenced sexual offenders?

How about individuals with blonde hair and blue eyes?

Preposterous, isn't it?

For those citing the Bible, where does God say that you are holy and permitted to condemn others?

"Ridicule and ostracize different groups of people for decades" must be the Eleventh Commandment that got lost!

I must have missed those scriptures.

"Love your neighbor" means all your neighbors, not just the ones you choose to like.