EDITORIAL: No need to ridicule Christians

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits our government from establishing a religion. The Community Library Network (CLN) is part of our government. The CLN cannot order closure of our libraries on the Christian Sabbath (Sunday) in order to conform to Christian practice. That would clearly be establishing a religion. It can do so for secular reasons, but none are mentioned in the editorial. The trustees’ closure decision was well motivated but wrong, and that’s that. No more discussion is necessary.

However, the editor chose to continue. He ridiculed Christians by painting them as primitive snake handlers who apparently reside in the “backwoods.” I note that his comments “…perpetuate discrimination…on the basis of religion…” in violation of the paper’s own Letters Policy. Sauce for the goose?

The editor’s swollen sense of superiority and diminished sensitivity are apparent and regrettable. He needs to apologize. I prescribe prayer twice a day until symptoms resolve.

Push back. 

BOB THIESSEN

Coeur d’Alene