Separation of church and state

In reading Dorothy Dimitre’s column, "Presidential choice?” in the Aug. 22 edition of the Daily Journal, I was uncomfortable with the factual inaccuracies presented. The quote "separation of church and state” is referenced out of con- text. Thomas Jefferson wrote that line in a letter to a Connecticut Church. It was to assure the leaders that the Federal Government would not interfere with the free practice of religion. It was not to ban religion from government it was to protect religion from government. The full text of the letter is avail- able on the Internet; "The Writings of Thomas Jefferson” book 16 letter 281.

In the Declaration of Independence we find reference to "Nature’s God” and our "Creator.” Contrary to the statements in this column, our founders were also believers in a Supreme Being. There are too many examples of this to list in this space. This fact is not hard to support. In the Constitution there are two direct references to religion and none to "God.” The first is in Article 6: "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The second reference is in the first amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Expression of opinion like expression of faith is the right of all people. Confusing opinions with facts to support a position through either ignorance or intent is inappropriate.

Leonard Stone
El Granada