LETTER: Letter writer missed the point: religion, government can’t mix

To Ozaukee Press:

  Dueling letters to the editor recently published in Ozaukee Press opined on state and church separation. One was titled, “Constitutional reminder: My public school is not your church.” The headline on a letter written in response to it was, “Words ‘separation of church and state’ are not in Constitution.”

The writer expressing doubt about the separation of church and state was looking for exact wording. The First Amendment proscribes, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” It implies being free from government support of religion.

That writer also asserted, “Our Founding Fathers were very religious; God was primary to all they did.” But the fact is they were deists, believing in human reason, that humans solve social and political problems, not God. Franklin and Adams adopted into the Constitution the native Iroquois confederation philosophy: power belongs to the people. This became the construct of united and cohesive states.

The letter went on, “This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.” Was the writer referring to Christian nationalism covering for white supremacists and lawmakers for societal control, intimidating manipulation of individuals for a theocracy at the risk of dismantling democracy?

Ted Poull, Saukville

Ken Bretl, Fredonia