During the election season, I found myself cringing at the terrible language in the letters printed in the Sun Journal from individuals opposed to gay marriage. I read letters that described homosexuality as perverse, immoral, against God’s design, etc. On Nov. 9, William Van Tassel wrote, “The gay marriage movement has everything to do with individual and familial dysfunction …” David Gilchrist, in a letter Oct. 28, wrote, “… Homosexual marriage is the bastardization of the law of God …” Yes on 1 centered its arguments on the children of this state. I must ask, what kind of example was set for the children by publicly using spiteful language?

To me, it is impossible to separate religious conviction and the Yes on 1 campaign. I have the utmost respect for the religious folks who recognized that everyone has civil rights, and I applaud them, but I am disturbed by those individuals who do not recognize that fact.

I am disturbed by those individuals who use fear to control public dialogue.

I am disturbed by those individuals who don’t recognize that there is a separation of church and state for a good reason.

I say it’s time to say no to fear. I say it’s time to say no to irrationality. Most importantly, I say it’s time to say no to the religious right that wants others to be controlled by their religious beliefs, which not all of us share.

No to fear. Yes to reason.

Matthew D. Pettengill, Portland