The massacre in Orlando is tragic on so many levels. First there are the 50 dead and 53 injured folks who were shot for no reason other than they were born with an attraction to the same sex, which “disgusted” the shooter.

How many church-going people and pastors from our small town have expressed similar opinions? Not only have they expressed disgust for gays and lesbians, but have also accused gays of being pedophiles, sinful and an abomination.

They have vocally and angrily feared for their children’s safety in bathrooms with transgender people. The Town Council even refused a proposal to ban discrimination against LGBTQ folks in public housing and employment by adding them to other already protected classes. Their reason: “they didn’t have the resources to enforce such a law.”

The Orlando situation is made even more tragic because it is probable the Muslim shooter committed this horrific act because he himself was gay—filled with anger, self-loathing and an inability to deal with who he really was because of the condemnation and demonization of homosexuality by religious fundamentalists.

I believe those who have expressed anger and hatred toward the LGBTQ community are complicit in this tragedy! I think it’s nothing short of immoral for religious leaders to preach intolerance and hatred. The Baptist minister in Tempe who suggested that gays should be killed, our local Baptist minister who railed against transgender people and vowed to boycott Target, and those who criticize The Fountains for their inclusive teachings should be ashamed!

Jesus never taught hatred of anyone. He taught just the opposite by his example and his words, calling on us to “judge not.”

In my opinion, we need to eradicate radical fundamentalism in all religions. Extremism breeds terrorism, scapegoating, division and hate speech. We must not tolerate it!