COLUMN: Why we need separation

More often than I’d like, I hesitate to read various letters and My Turn columns when, within a few words, I know that the missive is not worth my time and effort. Its words quickly reveal the mind-set of the writer and tell more about him than the people he writes about.

The My Turn column “State of Our Union” last week was just such a piece. One wonders how to respond to such ignorance and hate. I choose to “turn lemons into lemonade” as we did when the Aryan Nations marched down Sherman Avenue several years ago.

In response to that column, I’d like to commend Mr. Patrick for printing it because it reinforces for most of us the belief in the utmost importance of the separation of church and state. All a letter like this does is point out the absolute necessity of making sure that one religion cannot dictate its beliefs and practices to the rest of us. I am sure that most Christians cringe upon reading such garbage; Christ after all preached that love for one’s neighbors is the greatest Commandment of all. That writer appears to have missed that message.

PAULA NEILS

Hauser