Re "Should God go to the ballgame?" Opinion, Aug. 19
As the California and Western region director of Log Cabin Republicans, an organization of gay and lesbian Republicans, I feel compelled to respond to Tom Krattenmaker's arguments against public displays of Christianity at athletic events. Replace the word "Christian" with "gay" and you would find a similar screed vented recently in San Diego about events for gays and lesbians. The point of these events is to allow groups to publicly identify themselves, feel a little proud of who they are and have a good time. If we are going to condone one, we can't condemn the other.
Gays and lesbians want the same thing as Christians -- to be themselves honestly and openly without having to worry about others trying to shame them. There is one small difference between our community and the Christian groups at these events -- we don't recruit.
James Vaughn
Sacramento
I recently attended a Giants game in San Francisco on Jewish heritage night. I'm not Jewish; nevertheless, my heart warmed at the sight at circles of families and friends drawn together by their commonly shared religious faith and culture, enjoying a fun-filled summer night together at the ballpark.