CHURCH: The path forward

This is in response to Don Eckenroth’s guest opinion (March 16) defending the rights of his religion (in general) and his local Seventh-day Adventist Church (specifically). He is absolutely correct that our constitution guarantees us all the freedom to practice our faith, to peaceably assemble on our own property and to preserve freedom and justice for all.

But our country and its ideals were based on and imbued with the spirit of other laws that preceded the constitution, such as “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Do no harm.” We have learned, painfully I might add, that for every expansion of freedom, there is a commensurate expansion of responsibility — to our neighbors and community. It’s called Right Human Relations.

In my teens, I lived in a small farming community which included a multi-acre Seventh-day Adventist Academy. They included all us kids and families in their sports, theater, bible study and volunteer service without harming anyone else’s land or rights or relationships. They were good neighbors, just as their church here has been.

I feel certain that we citizens all want to do the right thing, what’s best for all concerned — the Common Good. God, help us know what that is.

MARIAN BRECKENRIDGE

Coeur d’Alene