Without HB 757, law would be harmful to pastors
Andre Jackson points out in this timely editorial (“No need for such speed,” Editorial, Feb. 21) that the First Amendment exists for good reason: That religious views should be respected and honored as long as they don’t cause unlawful harm to others holding different views. If I read it right, HB 757 concerns itself with wording that would hold pastors harmless if they choose not to unite a couple of the same sex in holy matrimony. I’m not a man of the cloth, but if I were and I’m required by law to be part of what I consider to be sinful, there’d be an immediate change in my career path. Why? I’d consider the law to be harmful to me because of my holding different religious views.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
Compromise should be sought in Apple vs. FBI
I am conflicted in the disagreement between the FBI and Apple.
On the one hand, there is a well-established rule of law that if probable cause can be shown for a warrant, law enforcement has the right to invade one’s privacy to any degree. I therefore can’t understand how Apple imagines they have a right to unconditionally secure anybody’s data. If one’s home or safe deposit box is subject to search under the right conditions, why not one’s cell phone? Yes, authorities can abuse the law but that doesn’t mean Apple can unilaterally ignore it.
On the other hand, the FBI and government clearly botched unlocking the phone. There were easy ways they could have gained access, but in their haste or ignorance they overlooked and undermined them. Demanding help from someone else after you’ve screwed up the job yourself seems arrogant to me. It’s not like they’re saying “please” or offering compensation.
I would like to see a compromise. The government should drop its legal action against Apple, and Apple should voluntarily lend a hand on their own terms.
ROBERT WOLFSON, MARIETTA
Teaching is difficult profession
Maureen Downey’s Get Schooled column (“Teacher’s ideals couldn’t defeat poverty’s truths,” Metro, Feb. 22) confirms what I’ve always believed from my experiences as an educator and parent. Teaching is the most difficult profession in the world. No other professional has to deal with 25-30 individuals at a time, all from varying backgrounds, intellectual and motivational levels; and discipline, protect, and teach them for six-and-a-half hours a day for 180 days a year. And when the school day is done, they get to grade papers, prepare lesson plans and communicate with parents. Then next year they start all over again with another group. It takes a combination of dedication, resilience, skill, and understanding. Those who are successful, as Ed Boland describes in his book, have “the special sauce of teaching.” Maybe when that sauce is seasoned for all teachers with parental, school system, and public respect and support, there’s a chance that a nourishing and nutritional meal can be served for all who come to eat.
JERRY SCHWARTZ, ALPHARETTA
HB 757 an embarrassment to Ga.
It now appears that discrimination, even against those whose behavior is victimless, will shortly become state-sanctioned.
Under HB 757, the Georgia General Assembly intends that a “sincerely held religious belief” now be the test of whether a person has broken the law by discriminating against gay citizens. Each person now becomes his own judge. There is now no logical barrier to this “sincerely held religious belief” test not being extended to allow discrimination against other classes of people. Once this law has been interpreted by our courts in specific instances for a few years, our Congress may eventually be asked to consider whether a KKK member’s sincerely held Christian beliefs allow him to deny service to anyone he wishes.
This bill is an embarrassment to the state of Georgia, the state where long, hard-fought battles against discrimination finally convinced us that discrimination is wrong.
RAEMON POLK, ATLANTA
