Live and let live.

Dear editor, There are two questions before us in the matter of sexuality, and it would be wise to keep them separate. The first question is the morality of same-sex unions; the second question is whether this issue is so grave that those who hold one position cannot remain in communion with those who hold the opposite position.

The majority of Canadian society today accepts same-sex unions and marriages. Therefore, to the extent that the church is taken up with internal bloodletting over this issue, to that extent we are making ourselves irrelevant to our fellow Canadians.

What about the second question: is it possible for those who consider homosexual acts an abomination to remain in communion with those who believe that persons in committed samesex unions have a place in the church? The history of Anglicanism is one of irreconcilable differences which we have somehow learned to live with. I deeply resented the way in which the new service book was imposed on a reluctant laity, but I did not consider this a sufficient reason to leave the church.

I do not believe that Anglicans should be required to accept the slogan "Gay is just as good as straight" as part of the Christian gospel. However, I would suggest another slogan which has been at the heart of Anglican practice over the centuries: Live and Let Live!

Schuyler Brown

Toronto