Religious belief should trump social graces

I was amazed to read in Amanda Bennett’s April 26 column (“Why Do We Let Slide Bias Against Women?” Sunday Perspectives) that she seemed to be of the opinion that people of faith should bow to her will.

Apparently, an Orthodox Jew who believes that he must never place himself in a situation where he will feel lust for a woman who is not his wife must throw all that aside and place his hand in hers to shake it because, otherwise, Ms. Bennett would consider herself discriminated against.

I never thought I would live to see the day when supposedly well-educated, sophisticated people would actually think it would be OK to demand that people should abandon their God the second that relationship with God causes the offended the most minute bit of discomfort.

Faith in God is not something you discard at the first hint of challenge. It defines how you think, how you act and who you are.

You notice that Christians in countries across the Middle East and Asia are choosing to die rather than give up their faith, don’t you? They are sacrificing their very lives for the God they worship. And yet Ms. Bennett wants someone to compromise his faith so she can feel more validated.

I can assure Ms. Bennett that it would benefit her if she grew up and stopped expecting people of faith to throw away a belief that defines their very being so she can force her “social awareness” bias on someone who has the temerity to believe that there is something more significant than hurt feelings.

ELLEN JUDSON Ellwood City