Even if you signed the petition, you can still vote "NO"

Original article available in the Kennebec Journal and can be viewed by clicking here.

By Roger P. Sirois

Congratulations to Jim Ramsey from the congregation of Vassalboro Friends Meeting.

Finally, some loving Christians who have gotten it right. Ramsey (letter, July 19) defined not only the essence of Christ's teachings but also the separate roles church and state should play under the guidelines of our Constitution.

Many of the "Christian" denominations and the Roman Catholic Church could learn a valuable lesson from the Quaker faith. Gospel tells us not to judge our fellow man lest we be judged ourselves and to love one another as God loves us.

As a gay man and a practicing Catholic, I find the participation of the Catholic Church and other Christian churches to repeal the same-gender marriage laws particularly offensive.

Although gay, I have been celibate for the past 23 years of my life -- something that most of the Protestant clergy and unfortunately a few of the Roman Catholic priests cannot claim. I will soon turn 55 and will not likely be anyone's husband, however, as a Christian I have no choice but to oppose the repeal of Maine's current gay-marriage law.

I would encourage my fellow Christians who signed the repeal petition to wash themselves clean in the blood of the lamb and to return to Scripture with fresh eyes.

It is not too late to do the Christian thing and vote "no" to the repeal of the gay marriage law.

All God's children need to love and be loved. God wants us all to be happy.