In response to Wayne Cook's "intolerance" letter of Nov. 14: Pastor Cook's comments are very sad. It must be nice to play both judge and jury... to know what is right for America, what is right for every human being. Of course, he will tell you that he doesn't make those decisions -- the Bible does. And of course, only his strict interpretation of what is right and wrong and only his interpretation of the Bible is correct.
The truth is that there is a world of hate behind his comments. There is no room for anyone whose beliefs are different in Cook's world. A sad thing. Tolerance doesn't mean you can't have a difference of opinion or differ in beliefs or practices -- what it means is that you respect other's rights to their opinions and points of view.
You respect the rights and dignity of every human being -- whether gay or straight, whether pro-life or pro-choice -- and you don't disregard them because they are different than you. Because someone is gay makes them no less a person or no less right or wrong than a straight person, and makes them no less a person than Cook himself.
Their beliefs have just as much validity as Cook's do. In Cook's world, there is one right answer and a whole bunch of wrong ones. One narrow path, one narrow bridge of acceptance. Anything different is not tolerated. No gray areas... just black and white. It's nice to know someone who has all of the answers -- for everyone.
I agree with the West Central Tribune editorial -- Willmar is developing an image of intolerance in Minnesota. Part of the reason for that are narrow-minded opinions like Cook's that leave no room for anyone else's beliefs to even be considered.
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I respect his right to his opinion... but in my personal definition of an intolerant person, he is a textbook example of intolerance.
David Schlosser
Northfield
