The Sun Journal printed an article (Oct. 21) beneath a picture of three smiling women who expressed their concern about same-sex marriage in Maine. They claimed that opponents of same-sex marriage have been victims of harassment and even criminal activity.

If that is so, those women and their friends have my sympathy.

I find it difficult, however, to fit their three smiling and pleasant faces with the words they use to describe gay and lesbian persons and their relationships. They said that same-sex marriage is degrading, diseased, dysfunctional, tears down dignity, degrading (again) and corrupting.

It saddens me that their words are so cruel.

In my church, there are several same-sex couples. People who know them would never describe them with words such as those women used. Neither do those words reflect the truth of my son and his partner.

The Bible instructs this way in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs.”

I pray for the day when all God’s children, gay or straight, build each other up with kind words and full acceptance.

Stephen Carnahan, Auburn

Pastor, High Street Congregational Church