LETTER: Power of ‘NO’ in support of Freedom from religion
TO THE EDITOR: Jennifer Marshall is somewhat correct when she stated in her article “Power of ‘NO’ in Support of Religious Liberty,” that many citizens came to America for religious freedom. What she failed to point out was that the groups who came here seeking religious freedom imposed their own dictatorial values and threw out [...]
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There was a modern French commentator (I wish I could remember his name) who referenced a tension in the American Revolution that continues to this day: that of America as a “City of God” – a place of refuge against oppression in Europe, and then the idea that America is a place to continue the Enlightenment, where logic and reason would prevail over mysticism.
The Religious Right and Free Thinkers both have a viable claim to the heritage of our forefathers. When Newt Gingrich says “America was Founded as a Christian Nation” he’s simply lying. They say the the victors get to write the history books, and he’s getting a little ahead of himself…
On the whole I find myself in agreement with Ms. Konrad with one major exception – your take on the abortion issue.
In my youth I was a definite pro-choice advocate (much to the chagrin of my religious mother) and it was not my sainted mother or any religion that swayed me from that position. It was focusing on the question of when does life begin? I am simply unable or at least unwilling to accept that the form of the human vessel being recognizable as something similar to me as a valid measurement. An abortion is simply placing the mothers interests ahead of their child’s with deadly results.
This is far different from imposing your prejudices on others because of sexual preference or creationism that you referenced. It is the governments duty and responsibility to protect those who do not have a voice and that can be no more literal than protecting infants in utero.
I agree we need freedom from religion but that does not mean freedom for committing “youthanasia” under the guise that it is a religious issue.
Frederic D. Byrne