Ads misunderstand freedom of religion

I noticed a full-page ad in the Suynday, July 5, Daily Herald, and I believe it was in all Chicago papers, sponsored by the Hobby Lobby store group. The headline copy read "In God We Trust" and the point was to argue for the concept that America is a Christian nation as supported by quotes from some Founding Fathers, some presidents, some Supreme Court decisions, and so on.

I strongly support their right to free speech and as a subscriber, I welcome that the revenue from their advertising defrays the paper's publishing costs. Yet, I wonder if they are dismissing the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

It clearly states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ..." Are we not bound by the law of the land to govern independently of any religious affiliation?

Are we not required to allow the free exercise of all religions and no religion?

While 70.6 percent of Americans identify as Christian, 5.9 percent belong to other religions and 22.8 percent are unaffiliated "nones." Is the suggestion that these non-Christians are less American because they don't belong to the majority religion?

In promoting the acceptance of the supremacy of the Christian religions they both violate important principles and use their significant resources to advance the application of religion to our public life. This must be rejected.

It's significant that the quotes used in the advertisement are all from the 18th and 19th centuries. It underscores the need to seek comfort in the notions of the past.

David Troland

Arlington Heights