Don't deny religious freedom

I have just learned that at a certain prison facility due to some regulations inmates are denied the opportunity to engage in religious activities including Bible studies, and the situation is not being dealt with in a timely fashion.

This is one of the places that people need the Lord. In prison they are depressed and without hope. In such situations things go downhill. However, when prisoners are allowed to engage in religious activities, which by the way, is their First Amendment right, they find hope and become better people. I know of many situations where people's lives have been turned around and they become productive citizens, and some even get involved with ministries that help many others.

Also in some places in the military there have been several instances of people being told not to use Bibles or share their faith. This also is another case of people being denied their First Amendment rights. People in the military are there to protect our rights and they leave home and family to serve our country, and some give their lives to protect our rights. Something is very wrong when the people willing to protect our rights are denied theirs.

Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values, and our Constitution gives us many rights, the first being freedom of religion and freedom of speech. We all need to be able to practice our religion freely, especially those who are in prison and need hope so they can turn their lives around; and those who put their lives at risk to defend our rights - they need the encouragement of their faith. God is our hope, and in America no one should be denied the right to seek God and practice their faith freely.

Marilyn Laub

Elmhurst