A letter writer (July 31 Herald) wrote that there are references agains homosexuality in the Bible. This is true.

It has always been my practice to separate the Bible into two parts. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments written on tablets of stone which are the "direct word of God". The rest of the Bible has human intermediaries who may have injected their own prejudices into what God told them and are "religious values".

Because religious values are often in conflict with each other, it is necessary to choose which values you will adhere to and which you will not.

For example, the religious values of the Amish sect do not allow graven images or buttons while the Brethern sect does.

A lesbian can have a committed relationship, exchange vows of commitment and bear children without violating her religious values.

An alleged adulterer can remain the father of his child, reaffirm his commitment to his wife and a predominately Christian nation can re-elect him president of the United States.

The Ten Commandments give us a common code to live by. Religious values allow a diverse population the right to pursue their own lives without their neighbors imposing his/her religious values on them.

Sheila L Richardson