I think it was the wrong decision. I realize American religious people and nonreligious people are split on the idea of homosexuality, but my opinion (and the opinion of my denomination, the United Church of Christ) is that lesbians and gays are people, too, and they deserve all the rights and privileges that we straight people get.

What is especially galling is that a "Christian" school tossed the girl out, and as I read the Gospels, Jesus was inclusive, not exclusive. (Interesting that Jesus never addressed the idea of homosexuality. But my belief is that he would not have rejected a gay person for being gay.) I don't know that anybody knows why there is homosexuality, but I'll fall back on a favorite Shakespeare quote: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

THE REV. SKIP LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

This is a freedom of expression issue. The school is freely expressing itself through its policies while the couple does the same by placing (and now removing without contest) the student at this school.

When incidents such as this occur, we need to discuss the bigger issues which are touching and shaping our society. In this case, we should look at the proliferation of private schools, which is an indictment of the public school system. Isn't it odd that a lesbian couple would place their student in a school which is intolerant of their lifestyle? Obviously, they're doing so for reasons other than dogmatic ones. I venture to say that many families who opt for a private school do so for the structure (discipline) and environment (safety) that they do not find in the public system.

Rather than spending our resources on debating whether the words "under God" should be recited in the school, or whether the cross should be depicted on the seal, or what constitutes domestic partnership, we should be looking at the underlying themes that are the foundation of all true religions. God is much more than a word to be feared; it is the power of love. The cross is not just a symbol but a way of life defined by sacrifice. Partnership is a commitment.

Neither the lesbian couple nor the school was slighted in this story.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

St. Peter Armenian Church and Youth Ministries Center

Glendale

My son currently attends Skyward Christian School in La Crescenta. As parochial schools go, it's the best. I send him there because he attends chapel, and prays and says the pledge of allegiance without reprisals.

The staff cares about him because to them it is personal; it's ministry. They believe the Bible is God's Word, so I don't worry that they will trash his burgeoning faith by telling him God is dead or nonexistent. His faith is reinforced in science, math or whatever. In addition to his 3R's homework, he also memorizes Scripture, and is held to a standard of moral excellence, which is completely absent from public schools.

While Skyward works to make great adults out of children of faith, it also sees its function as missionary. I'm aware that some parents couldn't care less about eternity, and their concerns are just that the kids get attention, fine education, and perhaps, some good morality. The school accommodates this and believes that investing in children will also pay spiritual dividends in parents, as students involve them in the affairs of spiritually rich academia.

Being a church pastor and family, we know this, but there exists similarly fine schools which have more stringent admission requirements. When attending Biola University, I affirmed their belief statement before acceptance, and the Ontario high school in question apparently had similar requirements. To them, it's the believing family that needs their specified services.

I cannot fault them for expelling students whose parents brought them there under false pretenses. If the parent's dishonesty says anything, it's that the primary focus of parochial education is not paramount. God condemns homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9), and those that believe God will have to either agree with Him or be unfaithful. The school is trying to be faithful, and they were upfront about that from the beginning. Sorry kid, your parents are wrong.

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Senior Pastor

Light on the Corner

Montrose

A school should judge a child only on the merit of scholastic achievement.

It should not expel a student because of a parent's behavior, no matter how immoral we may feel that behavior is.

At the same time, I feel it is the responsibility of a parent not to jeopardize a child's opportunities by publicly displaying sexual preference.

I would suggest that parents in a situation like this observe the common-sense rule of "don't ask don't tell."

Private schools are not subject to the same rules and regulations as public ones. They are operated much like a business; they are there to service their customers. As with any business, if a private school feels that a particular person is threatening their business, they will take action. The unfortunate fact is that many gay activists are trying to force their narrow agenda onto others by introducing various homosexual curricula into the classroom. The overwhelming majority of Americans do not support these actions. This school is simply trying to protect itself and its student body from what has become a national phenomenon.

Unfortunately, the action taken by this specific school resulted in a hurt child. While I feel terrible for this child, we cannot place the blame squarely on the school but must look at the broader picture and address the various factors that led to this regrettable event.

I believe that if we address these greater societal issues in an open, honest and forthright manner, we can avoid incidents of this kind in the future.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center