Readers write: July 11

Freedom from religion is a right

In response to a recent letter, “Faith extends past walls of church” (Readers write, July 8), faith does indeed extend beyond the church (or house of worship) walls. That is not the issue. I am very surprised that folks do not understand that you can practice your faith as you wish, but you cannot force others to follow it. That is the bottom line. The issue with the Hobby Lobby decision and many other actions of persons of faith is that they want all others to practice their faith just like they do. Sorry, but there are so many different faiths out there, even within one denomination.

Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. Just as the Restoration of Religious Freedom Act limits government imposing a burden on persons of faith, those same persons cannot impose their beliefs on others, especially in a large business where employees can come from many faiths.

THOMAS HORNER, CUMMING

Ruling didn’t deny other birth control

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in favor of tightly held companies and the ACA, the decision has been spun by the liberal media to make it seem as if Hobby Lobby is banning all contraceptives. The bleating and shirking from liberal women’s groups have become incessant and nauseating. Hobby Lobby will pay for 16 different birth control methods, but will not include four types of what they consider ECP (emergency postcoital contraception) medicines or devices — “morning after” pills like Plan B, IUDs and others. These four not covered by Hobby Lobby are covered by other programs from the federal government. Women working at Hobby Lobby are not denied any birth control medicines.

JAMES VAN VALKENBURG, SNELLVILLE

Some immigrants aren’t assimilating

Regarding the column “‘Los Jets’ adds soccer to a familiar American story” (Opinion, July 8), Mary Sanchez says immigrants integrate, particularly their children. Having lived in a city in southeast Los Angeles for a number of years, I can tell you that city now has a majority of billboards in Spanish, the high school students prefer Spanish to English, and the Mexican flag is everywhere. That city now has a population with a median age of 28.7 years. Doesn’t appear to be much assimilation by these children of immigrants, does it? Sadly, there are many other communities in California like this one.

NORMA DEBO, ROCKMART

Stadium replaces historic church

It was a very sad picture in today’s paper (“Church demolition underway,” Metro, July 8): a beautiful old church being demolished, in a city with so few historic buildings.