Govt.’s role not based on theology
Clifford Humphrey argues that because religious liberty comes from God (“Where our freedom originates,” Opinion, March 5), manmade legal guarantees are superfluous and maybe even counterproductive. Assuming he knows God’s policy on liberty, a written human document — our Constitution — is still crucial. Which liberties are protected? Are there limits? If so, what kinds? Which religions have the right to define them? Can government take sides?
Fortunately, we don’t have to agree that freedom of religion comes from God. It’s enough that we agree it merits protection. And that requires political documents like our Constitution to define the nature of protected religious practice and expression, safeguarding each person’s freedom not only from government, but from others’ religious freedom as well.
Because the government’s vital role is based on Enlightenment philosophy, not theology, the matter of where liberty came from in the first place can be left to each person’s belief.
JOHN CARVER, ATLANTA
Trump only one taking firm stand
Message to Trump’s GOP opponents: Don’t you guys get it yet? You are all ambivalent and wishy-washy about immigration. Trump took a firm stand on preventing the country from going Hispanic, the so-called “browning of America,” and it resonated with people who want to keep the America they grew up in and love, not a Mexican-American-dominated America. The federal government has been happily projecting a Hispanic majority in the next 30 years as if it is a wonderful thing to invite a cultural invasion and sea change in our country and our traditional American way of life. Get some patriot lenses in your glasses and a backbone.
ROBERT REDMOND SR., CANTON
About the Author
