Don’t accept funding and deny legal rights

I find it interesting, and sadly amusing, that the Archdiocese of Chicago, in its full-page ad in Section One, Page 9, of the July 3 issue, would use the Bill of Rights to advocate the promotion of their religious doctrines.

Health choice, especially something as profound as contraception, sterilization, or abortion, is a private matter to be determined by individuals. Religions cannot accept public money, and deny a person their legal choices. Religions are subsidized, unconstitutionally by the same amendment they quote, with billions of dollars through tax exemptions, subsidies and, more recently, the appallingly unconstitutional faith-based initiatives.

It’s very simple: If you want to curtail legal rights, be they health care, hiring practices or whatever, and replace them with your doctrine, then stay out of public funding. The use of the First Amendment, as it was in this ad, is a perversion of our constitution.

Walter Naaf

Pingree Grove