TO THE EDITOR:
In response to Daniel Fenton’s letter, “Psalm 100 has a right to maintain its own views,” you and Psalm 100 may believe that the sun orbits the earth and the Bible condones slavery if you wish, but wouldn’t it be better if your beliefs were grounded in solid information and careful thought? It is a shame when students at a great university do not bother to examine their beliefs and their sources, but rely on outdated and inaccurate canards instead.
The verses Mr. Fenton cites in defense of Psalm 100’s recent actions are among the worst-translated and most widely misunderstood lines in all of Scripture. They draw on a notion of homosexuality that did not exist at the time the verses were written. Leviticus condemns all sexual activity that will not result in pregnancy, but it also condemns eating shrimp or pork, and wearing clothing made from mixed fibers. St. Paul disapproves of pagan temple prostitutes and the Hellenic practice of adult men having sexual relationships with boys. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their citizens were inhospitable, greedy and cruel. Finally, Jesus instructed his followers to love their neighbors as themselves, and not to judge one another.
Please, Mr. Fenton and Psalm 100, educate yourselves about these matters before you so confidently hurt anyone else in the belief that Jesus would want you to do so.
Melody Ivins
Research Associate
Department of American Studies
