Don't mix religion with government

Almost weekly, there are letters complaining about the so-called war on faith. The common theme expressed by these self-proclaimed Christians is they are being persecuted for their faith. Are American Christians living in the catacombs and worshipping in secret?

Every candidate for president constantly talking about the importance of faith. One would think being a Christian was an absolute requirement of holding political office.

Most polls suggest that a large majority of Americans self-identify as Christian. If this is so, where are all the godless faith-haters coming from?

The Constitution calls for a separation of church and state. That is the law. To use a phrase popular in right-wing circles, that separation also was the original intent of the framers of the Constitution.

What that means is religion has no official or political place in our government. Private feelings of faith are fine, but putting an official stamp of approval on faith is illegal. It is that simple. It is what makes this country a democracy rather than a theocracy.

One thing that has aroused the right-wing letter writers is the recently-passed Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Many writers have claimed, I assume with a straight face, the act has nothing to do with prayer. How does one accept these ridiculous statements? The clear intent of the bill, explicit in the very title, is to introduce religion into public schools.

The second so-called proof of the war on faith is the Christmas affair. Many letter writers claim to be outraged everyone they meet does not say Merry Christmas. Why? Are these people so narrow-minded they cannot accept that not everyone agrees with them about every little thing? Must their opinions always be the only acceptable or correct ones? What happened to "judge not, lest ye be judged in your turn"? Are these not the words of Jesus?

Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus, which usually is presumed to have occurred in the early spring. Christmas was not celebrated by the early English colonizers of this country. Christmas is not mentioned in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. It is not about good will toward men, as the fistfights that occur in stores about who gets to buy the last popular toy in stock prove. It is about getting Americans to go further into debt so our faltering economy will not slide into recession.

My message to the right-wingers who claim to speak for all that is decent and American is this: Patriotism has no connection to religious faith. The Constitution is not a prayer. My religious beliefs, if any, are not what make me a good citizen. In any case, they are none of your affair. By saying this, I am in agreement with the sentiments of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin. Frankly, I'll take their company over yours any day.