All must respect freedom of religion

I read with interest the Jan. 19 letter by George Blinick which states that the United States is a “secular country” and that none of us must subscribe to any “religious tenets.”

I wonder how he is able to reconcile his idea of our secular country with the following words from the founding document of our nation. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights ...”

Is this a statement that belongs to a secular country?

Furthermore, our Constitution, a document which implements the ideals expressed by the Declaration of Independence, guarantees each individual the freedom to exercise his/her religious beliefs without interference from government (the mandates of Obamacare notwithstanding). Each is free to be Christian, Jewish and even an atheist.

But just what is religion other than the human response to God? This explains why there are so many different religious groups and customs around the world. Each understands God differently and responds accordingly. Using this definition, even atheists are religious. Their response to God is to deny his existence. And atheists have the freedom to practice their religion under the Constitution just as we all do.

If honest men differ over the truth, the only thing required is to discuss their ideas until there is some measure of agreement. This is not easy, but it is necessary.

May I offer one more idea. If one hates the truth, is it not possible the truth looks like hate?

C.E. Glomski

Elk Grove Village