To the editor:

It was difficult to follow the reasoning in the skimble-skamble March 6 letter to the editor titled “LGBT flag represents a double standard.” One problematic part of the letter is where the author states the Pride flag promotes “a certain religious belief.” What religion does the Pride flag represent? That people identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community does not mean they are part of an LGBTQ+ religion.

Another problematic part of the letter involves the futility of regarding scripture as authoritative in debates like this. If the author can cherry-pick quotes from St. Paul, so can I. Either the author is ignorant of or is ignoring the fact that St. Paul wrote that he did “not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet” (1 Timothy 2:12, NIV). By her letter, one could argue the author is attempting to teach or assume authority over men. So, are St. Paul’s writings authoritative or not?

St. Paul also wrote: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2, NIV). If Marshall Public Schools are considered governing authorities, the author is once again ignorant of or ignoring St. Paul when it is convenient.

If there’s a double standard here, then, it involves the author’s use of St. Paul’s writings as authoritative. They’re authoritative when she agrees with them, but not when she doesn’t. Empathy, reason, history, and science would be much better guides.

Brett Gaul

Marshall