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As a Christian I understand the passion felt by the writers of the recent Letter to the Editor urging adoption of the Marriage Amendment. I also understand the passion and belief of many others who hold the view set forth in that letter. As a Christian I also might be tempted to believe that this one Christian religious view is the only "right" religious view, but I know that this is not true. Other Christian denominations and many, many other Christians have a contrary view. So what else is new? It is no surprise that Christians sincerely and faithfully differ on this important issue, as on other important issues, while at the same time worship and believe in the same God and the same Jesus.



Since we are equal and freely have the right to practice our religion under the laws of the United states, I do not want any religious group to establish in law the particular religious beliefs of that group. Christians and non-Christians alike have differing beliefs. Each one of us certainly may hold our own beliefs, and it is wrong for any of us to impose our religious belief on others. And it is for this reason that I must vote 'NO' on the marriage amendment.



The entire basis the writers of that letter have for a 'yes' vote is their claim that the 'Bible says so.' Without arguing that the Bible also clearly expresses the opposite view, I am thankful that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits a group from making its religious belief the religion of us all. No church, denomination or religious sect has the legal right to impose its religious belief on others. This principle protects us all from religious tyranny, and this principle preserves for us all the right to freely believe and practice our religious faith.



I hope each one of us lives and practices his or her faith to the fullest, but I also hope and pray that none of us seeks to impose his or her faith on another. That is what the writers of the letter are seeking to do. That is what is happening with the Taliban Islamic sect in Afghanistan. No religious sect, whether it be Christian, Mormon, Jewish, Islamic, or other, should do this in the United States.



Please, citizens of the Longville area, even if you have the political right to vote 'yes' on the marriage amendment, and even if you have the political power to adopt the amendment, I instead ask that you vote 'NO.' Your 'NO' vote will protect the religious freedom of all of us, will allow all of us to freely practice our religious beliefs, and will serve to prevent anyone from ever imposing religious beliefs on you.[[In-content Ad]]

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