The quote, "Prejudice

rarely survives experience," is validated by the polls that show

that young people are more accepting than older ones and acceptance rises

with education. The prejudices that I was taught about black people began

to vanish as I was forced into being in the same high school with them

in the 1960s. While being involved in sports, academics, and social endeavors,

they showed the same characteristics (good and bad) as my white friends.

As friendships began to develop, I began to wonder what all those adults

had been so afraid of. The world did not implode and was actually better

because of it.

Will we not find the world

to be a better place when we finally decide to treat homosexuals with

respect? Or should we just stick with continued condemnation by denying

them their dignity and refusing to acknowledge their relationships? Our

children have already begun to see through our veiled attempts at character

assassination because two-thirds of high school seniors favored the legalization

of gay marriage. They are probably wondering what we adults are so afraid

of.

Shall our children lead us

into a better future for all people or shall we continue to ridicule,

mock, and isolate gays and lesbians both socially and religiously? The

saddest part of the latter is that it is done in the name of a loving

God, under the guise of a tolerant and free nation.

Jeff Ellis

Fayetteville, Ga.

www.familyacceptance.com