NUXOLL: Wrong - and ill-mannered

Senator Nuxoll refuses to apologize for her unfortunate behavior and remarks about the Hindu religion being false. Leaving aside such legitimate questions as common decency, tolerance or a kindergarten level of good manners; there are other issues this raises.

She has violated her oath of office as an Idaho Senator whereby she swore to uphold and defend the United States and Idaho Constitutions. Both documents mandate strict religious neutrality by government at all levels; a neutrality tested and affirmed by a long chain of court decisions. As an officer of the state she represents all constituents, not just herself or even the majority; therefore she has an additional freedom of speech burden. She can say things as private citizen Nuxoll that she cannot as Senator Nuxoll.

She says the Constitution is “… based on Judeo-Christian principles.” It is no such thing, as a study of American law and history make clear. Does she not know that there are three major Abrahamic religions and not two? All three derived from the same man and same semitic culture worshiping the same monotheistic God by whatever name the deity was called. The third religion is of course, Islam. Is she ready to embrace Sharia Law? Is she speaking for fellow Catholics? What is her view of Mormons, Bahai’s, or my own Quaker roots? Does her God hear a Jewish prayer? None of those are questions properly addressed by a Senator. But all are raised when she makes a pronouncement about any religion.

JAMES JEFFERY

Grangeville