Keep my taxes out of your church

Delores Kniola, in her July 20 response to my July 11 letter, states that I missed the point entirely. I’m not the one who missed the point.

Delores and the church quote The First Amendment to attack the law which, briefly summarized, states that if churches use public funds they cannot impose their doctrine to curtail services or make employment decisions within the program where the public funds are used. This law only became necessary when funding of faith-based initiatives became law. What part of “Congress shall make no law ...” is not clear? Funding church organizations with tax dollars is an unconstitutional “ ... law respecting an establishment of religion.”

Furthermore, Delores, if you deny me a legal service because it is against your religion, then you are making me adhere to your doctrine. And as far being “penalized for observing” your own doctrine, the law you and the church are attacking does not diminish your right to free worship, or to provide services predicated on your doctrine. You just cannot do it with tax dollars.

The erosion of The First Amendment is what has let government into your religion, and attacking this law further weakens the amendment. I do not want my tax dollars used for religious purposes.

Walter Naaf

Pingree Grove