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Show e “Gay-bashing makes headlines. Catholic-bashing rarely too narrow view of Christianity. Many gays and lesbians are Christians. Many non-gay Christians support and help nur- receives footnotes,” writes Dave Anderton, editor of Heber City’s community newspaper, The Wasatch Wave. Of course, Anderton’s right. Catholic-bashing seldom ture the intimate lives of their gay friends and family members. Sadly, these Christians don’t find a place in Anderton’s receives footnotes, because compared to gay-bashing, it’s rare. editorial. Anderton claims to stand against all intolerance. But that’s a tall order. The fight against bigotry demands an Intolerance toward gays and lesbians doesn’t seem to concern Anderton. His recent editorial about them relied open-minded view of Christianity. It also requires tolerance for gays, many of whom are battling AIDS, discrimination, largely on anecdotal evidence and the same so-called horror stories that conservative columnists and talk show hosts are fond of repeating. There’s the one about gay activists pelting a Catholic priest and his mother with condoms. There’s another about gay activists calling a Roman Catholic Cardinal a “fat cannibal in skirts.” Anderton calls these attacks a “savage mockery of Christianity.” Granted, these acts are distasteful and unnecessary. and violence—problems far more serious than being pelted by condoms. ¢ For a state all but obsessed with positive national publici-. ty, Utah sure earns its share of negative press. Christian denominations. In Utah, gays and lesbians can be ‘legally fired from their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation. Why? Because many Christians consider love between members of the same sex a sin, and have battled legislation forbidding discrimination. Do Christians face this kind of intimidation in the work- | The latest was a The New York Times report on Utah: Gov. Mike Leavitt’s recent appointment of a fourth teetote ing Mormon male to the state’s five-person Alcoholic Beverage Commission. : - But gays and lesbians have good reason to criticize some Below the headline, “Sober Reality in Utah: Mormons | Fulfill Role,” the Times’ reporter, B. Drummond Ayres Jr., writes, “Given the huge, conservative influence of the Mormon Church in Utah, politics there sometimes seem to eh place? Are Christians from New York to San Francisco to Salt be more a morality play than anything else.” The story goes on to contrast the views of Gov. Leavitt, who believes that the beverage industry should have no role in regulating itself, with those of industry representatives, who maintain that the hands-on workings of the liquor business are often misunderstood by people who have no experi- Lake City routinely beaten by bigots? Have Christians endured anti-Christian ballot initiatives in states such as Oregon and Idaho? Of course not, because outside of Northern Ireland, real discrimination against Catholics and Protestants is virtually unheard of. Anderton tries to justify the Christian stand against ence with alcohol. gays and lesbians by pointing to “what the scriptures say about gays and lesbians.” . Anderton is not a bigot, but his editorial relies on a far | Mountain Times encourages Gov. Leavitt to consider Captain Moroni when making his next appointment to the state’s Liquor Commission. Known to his pals as Capt. Mo’, this latter day crusader would become fast friends with the commissioners already appointed by Leavitt GAME ROOM —~———_ POOL-ROOM “ ee Ce es ) Ee Whether you're just testing your wings on the net, or you already know the flight patterns, ArosNet offers the best in Internet services. Dial us up and soar! 3 : “AUG y Emsatichbie SATURDAY AUG 8 Chole ArosNet, Inc. 28 South 400 East Salt Lake City, UT 64111 801-532-2767 www.aros.net THURSDAY The 0, 1970; «NH 13 Bird Cinema Pulo FRIDAY Walter Sick and Twitsted Festival of Animation August 7 -13 6|AUGUDI AUG AUG 14 St.Clair & the OwverSteamed beumel (REGGAE) For current shows and times call 355-5500 Rae eae Darn ‘Rated Internet Friendly Tee. Previder. Pa 677 South 200 West www.brewvies.com visit our web site: www.citysearch.com/sic/thecozy OPEN DAILY AT 4PM © 649-6038 438 MAIN ST:., PARK CITY, UT. A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS |