Let freedom ring

This is in response to the letter from the Rev. Keith Hamel (Oct. 9), from which I quote: "Like it or not, our nation was established on Biblical teachings."

My history lessons also taught me that this nation was established with a separation of church/state and freedom of religion. I think that means I have a right to interpret the Bible for myself.

Wake up, people

I have seen a young man die with lumps the size of egg yolks all over his body. We loved him and prayed for him, but he died anyway. How can anyone want their children growing up with the idea that it's a healthy lifestyle for two people of the same sex to have sex?

Such ideas will happen in the future; it's already being taught in schools in Massachusetts that it's OK.

If God had wanted that to be, he would have told us.

Back roads only

When the state issues a driver's license, the driver is free to drive wherever he or she desires. The Catholic Church would place restrictions for homosexuals — driving on back roads only.

The state passed a law granting equal rights to all who want a license to marry. Many churches refuse to allow gays/lesbians that right. Why?

Check the ratings

This is in response to Colby Roy's letter (Oct. 7), "A biased media." I am appalled that people think Fox News is biased.

O'Reilly, Hannity and Beck are all neo-conservatives? Is that a joke?

Because capitalism is the only system that has ever flourished in the world and those three like to promote it, that means they are neoconservatives?

If they were neo-conservatives, they would be saying, "Take over Iran, North Korea, China, Russia ... and France, too!" But they don't.

Fix the intersection

I am concerned about the intersection of Harris Street and Court Street in Auburn. Harris Street goes to Edward Little High School.

Not only is there something that needs to be done about the high school, access to Harris Street needs to be fixed.

I am aware that the city budget is strained and that a traffic light costs money, but a light at the Court Street end of Harris Street would be very helpful when Edward Little High School is opening and closing.

Doesn't make sense

I do not know why voters of the state of Maine would ever vote "yes" on the excise tax repeal, Question 2. In Mechanic Falls, repeal of the excise tax would cost local taxpayers $149,360 in tax revenues. That tax revenue would come from the town fund balance, cuts in services, or an increase of close to one mill in property taxes.

A Mechanic Falls taxpayer who owns a 6+ year-old vehicle would save zero in excise tax and pay an increase of close to one mill on their property taxes. That does not make sense to me.

Deserved more attention

This is in response to an article in the Sun Journal on Oct. 7.

I was appalled to find such a small article, reporting that a Maine soldier, Sgt. Joshua Kirk of South Portland, was killed in Afghanistan. It went on to further state that about 50 family members watched as the flag-draped "transfer case" was removed from a military cargo plane at Dover Air Force Base.

No background information about Sgt. Kirk was given, and little fanfare was given by the newspaper.

No more distractions

It is a pleasure to drive into Auburn now on Young's Corner Road and not see those moronic signs distracting motorists.

Dave Johnson, Minot

Imposition of beliefs

Once again, the religious fundamentalists have organized to impose their religious beliefs upon all the citizens of Maine. This time they are calling their assault on our constitutional guarantees a "defense of marriage."

This brings to mind our friends, John Roberts, son of a dean of the seminary of Princeton University and his spouse the Reverend Kenneth Schmidt, an ordained Episcopal priest, serving his congregation for many years, who performed the marriage ceremony for my oldest son and his wife.

Letter showed gall

You have to hand it to the gall of those pushing for same-sex marriage. (Letter, Mark Nordberg, Oct. 6)

After expressing sympathy for the parishioners of St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's parishes which are closing, where he has attended "some of the most moving services he has ever experienced" (thus establishing his seeming sincerity), he then gets to the real purpose of his letter. It is to inflame the anger of those parishioners and the public, and thereby enlist their voting support to vote no on Question 1.

Let God be the judge

I will vote "no" on Question 1 because I believe a person should have the right to marry the person he or she loves, regardless of sexual orientation.

Three of my children have celebrated the rite of marriage. My youngest, however, is denied this opportunity. He is committed to a loving relationship with another man. Together they have created a safe and loving home for my youngest grandchild. They share the same joys and sorrows of any other family. Yet, they are denied a legally recognized marriage. They deserve better.

Taxpayers get to decide

On Nov. 3, I will be voting "yes" on Question 4 to enact the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

There are many reasons why Maine taxpayers need TABOR now more than ever. Many recent reports have brought to light just how irresponsible the state and local governments are with taxpayers' money. The public needs to rein in this behavior in Augusta and tell the politicians: It is time for the voters to decide.

See you next year

After returning home from participating in the 100-mile bicycle race for the Dempsey Challenge, I mentioned to some of my team members that this event will be circled on many calendars in the years ahead.

I've participated in my share of charity rides and I can say to the people of Lewiston-Auburn — you nailed this one. The course (ouch!), volunteers, post-event activities were all first-class. One more reason I'm proud to call Maine my second home.

See you all next year.

Brett Webber, South Dennis, Mass.

Substance of marriage

It's pretty common knowledge that between 45 percent and 50 percent of first traditional marriages ends in divorce.

And I've read somewhere that nearly one-third of women in the U.S. will experience violence from their husband or boyfriend.

Perhaps "traditional marriage only" proponents should concentrate more on the substance of marriage than on its form. The substance of marriage is love and commitment, and renders the form irrelevant.

I'm voting for the substance of marriage in November by voting "no" on Question 1.

Truth as God revealed it

There is a danger when a church moves into the public square. It's called getting called on the truth. Some members of the Episcopal Church cringe when Episcopal clergy publicly advocate for the redefinition of marriage, as will happen Oct. 15 in Portland when the gay bishop will speak.

Library services available

In the Sun Journal Oct. 5 was an article, "Plans afoot to possibly move library," it was reported that "The town would have no library for 9-10 months."

While it is true that the old library building may not be usable for that time, it should be emphasized that library service would continue throughout the transition period. It may require a temporary location, but the library would remain open.

Karl Aromaa, librarian

Rumford Public Library, Rumford

Disrespecting marriage

Many parents brought children up to believe that homosexuality was wrong, whether Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or any other faith, and it was mostly a hush-hush subject, not tolerated by most parents.

My mother's grandfather read the Bible to her daily. Past generations had morals and faith. It is because of these teachings being passed down generation to generation, that there are so many people against same-sex marriage.

An infringement?

This is regarding same-sex "unions."

Hasn't the state infringed a bit on the power of the church by using the term marriage and defining the legal rights thereof?

Trudy Chasse, Lewiston

Not apples to apples

The misuse of income statistics in the Oct. 1 editorial, "Squealing about the income gap," may be the only thing that makes the issue explosive.

While there are many reasons to question the efficiency of government at both the state and federal level, the inappropriate use of income data does not set the proper groundwork for the discussion.

I am not familiar with employment practices in Maine, so I will limit my comments to the disparity between the average federal wage and the average private wage that was called unsustainable.

Love all humans

It is extremely sad how many citizens lack critical thinking skills and the capability of viewing each other as equal human beings and individual persons with equal rights and shared responsibilities.

Once again, citizens are fighting over what originates with the reproductive system: sex, gender, personal preference of sexual orientation, marriage and family matters.

Support public option

The Sun Journal editorial on Oct. 5 states that Maine has its own "public option" health insurance program. If there's a Maine health insurance agency administered by the state with much cheaper rates than for-profit insurance companies, offering several insurance plans from which I can chose, well, that's news to me.

The editorial also mentions Massachusetts' health care plan. What it doesn't say is that premiums increased 10 percent in 2009.

Love your neighbors

Opponents of same-sex marriage often argue that God set forth the rules and regulations on marriage in the Bible. As a matter of fact, Jesus said there will be no marriage whatsoever in heaven.

Does that mean that marriage is bad?

Friend of property owners

While watching the advertisements on the upcoming elections, I have to smile when it is asked, "Do you remember." I remember the last time TABOR was around. The residents of Auburn and Portland should remember it, too.

In Auburn, "Defeat TABOR" was the rallying cry from every government official. They said something to the effect of don't pass this and we'll treat you right. Then, in Auburn, homes were re-evaluated — to the government's benefit. How many citizens were almost taxed out of their property? Portland also had a hefty property tax hike.

An 'instructional aide'

Many advocates of gay marriage claim that Jesus never spoke about homosexuality, an observation based on the Bible. Do the Gospels actually contain all that Jesus said during three years of public ministry?

Gospel passages state that Jesus taught large crowds for up to three days at a time, but the teachings are not recorded. Other biblical passages mention that Jesus gave commandments to his apostles, including orders to his apostles to teach all nations to obey everything he had commanded them. The Bible doesn't name those commandments.

Other issues to address

This is in response to the letters from Sen. John Nutting (Sept. 24) and Rep. Stacy Dostie (Sept. 26).

I am a little concerned when elected officials get involved in small town politics outside their own community. The state government has enough of its own problems, such as the $20 million lost last year to bad investments and government waste. State funding cuts for schools in small communities such as Sabattus will have a huge impact.