MY TURN: CLN violates First Amendment
To the Citizens of Kootenai County:
I am writing to bring to your attention a serious violation of the First Amendment by the Community Library Network in North Idaho. At their Oct. 17 meeting, Trustee Campbell used the Bible to justify her stance on a policy under discussion, directly integrating religious doctrine into the board's decision-making process. Trustee Robinson appropriately challenged this, requesting legal clarification from the board's attorney, who was present. However, chair Rachelle Ottosen and vice-chair Tom Hanley denied this request, refusing to allow the attorney to provide a legal opinion.
You can review the relevant remarks, which begin at the 2:42 mark in the linked meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGabAgW-4g
When CLN trustees are sworn into office, they pledge to support the Constitution of the United States. I trust that they have read it carefully. Notably, there is no reference to God anywhere in the Constitution. Religion is mentioned exactly twice, both times in ways that explicitly prohibit the entanglement of government and religion.
The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This key principle has been upheld repeatedly by the courts and clearly establishes the separation of church and state. Government bodies, including the CLN board, are prohibited from endorsing or promoting one religion over another.
The second mention is in Article VI, which states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” This affirms that religious beliefs — or lack thereof — cannot be used to qualify or disqualify anyone from holding public office.
Our founders, in crafting the Constitution, clearly intended to establish a secular state. Contrary to the revisionist arguments of Christian Nationalists, the United States was not founded as a Christian nation. The framers were well aware of the perils of state-sponsored religion, having observed the religious conflicts and persecution that plagued Europe for centuries.
James Madison said it best when he said: “The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.”
• In England, both Catholics and Protestants were persecuted and put to death by rulers who did not share their religion.
• Across Europe, religious minorities were often subject to violence and disenfranchisement.
• The Puritans themselves fled persecution in England and Holland, only to impose their own brand of intolerance upon settling in the New World. Quakers were expelled from New England, Catholics were denied the right to own land in most colonies and religious intolerance was widespread.
Our founders sought to create a nation that avoided these divisions. By ensuring religious freedom through the separation of church and state, they intended to prevent the chaos and bigotry caused by theocratic rule. The Constitution they wrote is a document that protects all beliefs and non-beliefs equally.
Trustee Campbell’s remarks Oct. 17 are a clear expression of Christian Nationalism, which runs counter to the Constitution’s core principles. While she is entitled to her personal faith, as a public official sworn to uphold the Constitution, she cannot use the Bible or any religious text to influence or justify public policy. Doing so violates the First Amendment, as government actions cannot be based on religious doctrine.
In holding up the Bible and citing scripture during official duties, Trustee Campbell not only acted unconstitutionally but also violated her oath of office. The board, with the exception of Trustee Robinson, either allowed or, dare we say, encouraged this violation. Though Trustee Campbell has since resigned, the board must accept accountability for enabling her actions and providing her with a platform.
The board itself had already demonstrated Christian Nationalist tendencies. In August 2023, it voted to close the libraries on Sundays, with Chair Ottosen stating, “The Lord blesses people when we keep the Sabbath day holy.” After public outcry and the threat of litigation, they reversed this decision. More recently, they again closed all libraries on Sundays, this time under the guise of budget concerns.
The United States is a nation of laws, not of any particular faith. Upholding the secular nature of our government is essential to maintaining liberty for all Americans, regardless of their religion — or their lack of one.
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Michelle Lippert is a Post Falls resident.