Dear Editor:
An Aug. 31 letter in the Globe ("Not always truth") is a perfect example of a writer clearly attempting to deny the obvious.
In 1787 the Founding Fathers wrote and in 1788 the people of the United States of America commanded that "no religious test" shall ever be required (Constitution, Art. 6., Sec. 3.). What part of "no religious test" is unclear?
In 1789 the first Congress wrote and in 1791 the states commanded, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" (First Amendment). What part of Congress, law, or religion is unclear?
In 1797 the President of the United States, John Adams, signed and the members of the U.S. Senate approved a treaty of peace and friendship with the country of Tripoli, in which it was declared: "The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility of Musselmen."
The 1797 treaty read by the President and members of the Senate was the treaty written in English. None of them read Arabic. The treaty presented to the American people and placed in official government records, as part of the supreme law of the land, was in English.
An 1805 treaty with Tripoli obviously needed no additional commentary about Christianity.
The Constitution of the United States of America is clear about religion: no test and no law. What part of "no" if difficult to understand?
In America, "religion" shall not be established by law or government at any level (national, state, city, school district). America is a nation wherein citizens of all religions, and of none, are welcome to participate freely in all of its social and political functions.
Gene Garman
Pittsburg, KS
Copyright 2003 Gene Garman