To the editor: Columnist Robin Abcarian points out how a Los Angeles County lifeguard, upset about flying the LGBTQ+ Pride flag, has brought the culture war to the beach. From what I understand, lifeguards are there to protect lives, not condemn them.
The “deeply held religious beliefs” argument is really nothing new. In one of my political science classes in the 1970s, we learned about arguments to the effect of: “It is my sincerest religious conviction that virgins should be sacrificed to volcanoes.” Perhaps more recently it was: “Witches were to be burned at the stake.”
What I think needs to be done is to start removing this “layer” euphemistically called “deeply held religious beliefs.” But we dare not do so, lest we succumb to our respective internalized insecurities (indoctrinated, of course, by religious beliefs).
Perhaps more accurately, we are witnessing the rise of dominionism.
As for Christianity, I seem to remember that the big focus was on what Jesus instructed after all that Old Testament material, and also on respecting life instead of stoning it to death.
Bree Turner, Morro Bay
..
To the editor: Once again, a public employee determines that his deeply held religious beliefs prevent him from performing basic job duties.
With this lifeguard too distraught to even see a Pride flag, one wonders how he survives each June, where Pride month is referenced everywhere.
One also wonders how it can possibly interact with and protect a public that includes people of many beliefs and opinions. Would you even deign to rescue a person you find objectionable to your deeply held religious beliefs?
Mine tell me that he needs to grow up and do his job.
Randy Henderson, Valley Town
..
To the editor: The section of Will Rogers State Beach where the lifeguard is stationed has been a major gay beach since at least the late 1960s. His strong “religious” bias makes it questionable that he would do the job he is paid to do on that beach.
He needs to do what is required, resign, or be held accountable for making it very clear that he may not be able to do his job of saving lives on that beach.
Barry Greenfield, West Hollywood
