My letter addresses Adele Ferguson’s Oct. 15 column (“Church grapples with same-sex issues again”).

The issue being why is it an issue?

Do consenting adults not have the right to live their private lives as they choose as long as they do not put others in harm’s way?

There are women and men who have fought and died for this country to maintain our freedom of choice.

Therefore, should narrow-minded individuals who are caught up in this self-righteous morality judgment of others be the only voice listened to?

I am offended for my friends who choose to live a life with a same-sex partner and are not shown the respect they deserve.

I am offended for anyone who, because of the judgment of bigots, have to live in a society based on the religious beliefs of some.

Religious beliefs belong in the church of your choice and in your private life, not outside those confines.

As for sitting next to a person in a church where tolerance for diversity is not practiced or welcomed, I would rather have a root canal.

I will say in defense of Ms. Ferguson we all know where she stands on this issue, which is much better than the covert atmosphere that surrounds the hypocrisy of other instiutions and peoples.

Kathleen Dolan-Bowes is a

Port Orchard resident.