Re: your July 4 article, "Same-sex unions divide the faithful":

In the article, the Rev. Brian Elster tells how he struggled to reconcile current California law with ancient biblical Scripture as he prepares to preside over a same-gender wedding for two men belonging to his Oxnard congregation.

It also describes how other local pastors have attempted to discourage Elster from proceeding with the marriage. It is to those other local dissenting pastors that I offer the following response.

Consider that Christian Americans once prescribed to human slavery. The white Christian slave owners quoted biblical Scripture as justification for that right.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture and slavery met its end as the American Christian world evolved.

Consider women's suffrage in the context of American history. There exists biblical Scripture that can be interpreted to promulgate the concept that Christian women are not equal to men and, as such, are not to allowed to speak in church or through the ballot box.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture and American women — Christian and non-Christian — were granted the right to vote and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider Carrie Nation proclaiming her biblically ordained Temperance Movement in Christian America. Here again biblical Scripture, this time condoning alcohol consumption, was cited as a catalyst that finally resulted in a constitutional mandate prohibiting alcohol consumption.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture. Prohibition met its end and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider no-fault divorce. When states first began enacting no-fault divorce laws, many Christian Americans proclaimed it to be against biblical Scripture and angrily fought against the new law.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture. No-fault divorce became the law of the land and the American Christian world evolved.

Consider racial segregation. American Christian racial segregationists cited biblical Scripture in support of their belief that the races should be segregated.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture and racial segregation was outlawed. Here, too, the American Christian world evolved.

Consider inter-racial marriage. As with racial segregation, those opposed to inter-racial matrimony cited biblical Scripture in defense of their position.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture and the American Christian world evolved.

Finally, consider same-gender marriage. Here you may substitute slavery, women's suffrage, temperance, no-fault divorce, racial segregation or inter-racial marriage and the outcome is the same.

Ultimately, the rule of law trumped the rule of biblical Scripture and the American Christian world is in the midst of coping with this latest evolution in their world.

Time and time again, throughout American Christian history, a vocal group of Christian Americans has argued in favor of placing limits on or disallowing certain secular freedoms, rights and liberties. Currently, we live in a time where the line between preachers and politicians has blurred.

Unfortunately, political operatives are now masquerading as religious scholars and trusted elders in an attempt to impact how we cast our votes.

In my opinion, Elster is to be commended for his sweeping and insightful view of American Christian evolution. He understands and appreciates how modern American Christianity can adapt itself to an evolving culture and that culture's evolving set of laws. Elster preaches that we should live in the shadow of biblical love — love of God and love for our fellow man and woman.

My same-gender partner and I have been together 23 years. Our commitment to Christianity mirrors our commitment to one another. We derive tremendous joy from our relationship with one another and our relationship with God.

Elster recognizes and respects these commitments. I am proud that he will be solemnizing our wedding.

— Harris D. Berger lives in Oxnard.