This is a reply to Michael Morneault’s Sept. 9 letter in the Banner.

Rev. David Bort wrote a thoughtful and factual column in the Banner on same-sex marriage. He showed a deep concern for what is best for his fellow man and woman. Later, Michael Morneault wrote a reply. The reply consisted of various short and unspecific phrases from the Old Testament, which I took to mean that "if you do something that I, Michael, hate, then a multitude of serpents shall fall from the sky, and lo, the biggest among that host, yea, bigger even than the one that got away, shall crawl up your nose and make you wish, verily, that you had done what I said in the Banner." Fine.

But what does God want? Every major faith, so far as I know, is basically centered on the Golden Rule. But beyond the Golden Rule, when you get into specifics, such as what you eat or wear, well, who’s to know what is right? Mr. Morneault’s column contained only one fact that most anyone would agree with: that two men cannot procreate. I agree. But let me point out three things about that: First, there is at present no shortage of people in the world. We have already gone forth, multiplied, and then some.

Second, there is much more to life than procreation. Many things I did last week had nothing to do with procreation. And third, it raises a perplexing question about Noah’s two sons, who with Noah and his wife were the only human flood survivors, and were told to go forth and multiply and replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1).

His only other "fact", that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was the worst natural disaster after the Flood, seems clearly wrong to me. Far more people have died in each of many earthquakes, famines, and pandemics. And to anyone who says that these were some sort of punishment by a just God, my reply cannot be printed in the Banner, but that is another topic.

My point is this: When we discuss in public what is right, especially when we are deciding on laws, we must stick to the clear facts that we, of any faith or of no faith, can all see and agree on in our everyday life. It is difficult enough for each of us to make our way through life and attempt to do the best we can for ourselves, for those we love, and hopefully for those we do not, as in the Golden Rule.

BILL CHRISTIAN

North Bennington Oldcastle is working to ensure access to new theater

As Oldcastle Theatre Company works on its new facility, the board and staff want to assure the community we will provide access for persons with physical disabilities.

Renovating an existing facility is challenging. It will take time. By our opening late this fall we will have an ADA bathroom on the main floor. By March we will have a lift which will move people from the street-level front door to the lobby and theater.

We apologize that the lift will not be in place for our first production but it is not possible. With advance notification we will try to provide accommodation. This two-stage process complies with ADA and code requirements.

CHARLES R. PUTNEY

President

Oldcastle Theatre Company