On my way to work recently I saw a bunch of blue political signs stretched along the road to Weare. When I finally could read the wording, I was furious.

"Stop intolerance" - good, certainly! Then: "vote on marriage."

New Hampshire law allows all citizens to marry, straight or gay. However, some people believe that is against their religion and want all the citizens of our entire state to live by the tenets of their chosen faith. They want us to vote to take this basic human right away from our neighbors, friends and family. And they are amassing big out-of-state bucks to get their way.

Well, fair's fair. I should assert that same right. I was brought up in a Catholic family. Divorce was forbidden by God. I have been happily married for 35 years. If they get to prohibit my gay family and friends from marriage because of their religion, I think it only fair that, according to my faith, there also be a law prohibiting divorce, in the name of protecting marriage, of course. I dare say there would be more marriages saved that way than stopping the gay couple down the street from wedded bliss.

Oh, and no birth control either; my church says God hates that too.

This is a country of many religions. You may not like my friend's marriage, but it isn't hurting your marriage at all. Your "tolerance" sign is purposefully misleading. I don't know what God really wants, and neither do you. So live and let live. Maybe spend your energy helping the poor and dispossessed, as Jesus commanded. Leave our friends in peace.

JEANNE STAPLETON

New Boston