Churchgoers have rights

Ann Warwick’s March 27 letter implying churches shouldn’t have input in politics is way off base. Churches consist of citizens of the United States having just as much right to vote their convictions as any other citizen. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof.”

That means Congress isn’t to establish a national religion, and they aren’t to prevent people of faith from expressing their beliefs and convictions.

What we are experiencing now is a flagrant violation of the second half of this amendment. The Constitution is still valid, and it’s time our government and courts stopped distorting its intent, and ruled in accordance with it.

The phrase “separation of church and state” was in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a church in Rhode Island assuring them the government would not have control over the church. It’s not found in the Constitution.

Churches are tax-free because they contribute substantially to the poor and needy. Our money would be better spent if there was more individual involvement in helping the needy, and less government. Our government isn’t noted for being good stewards of our tax money.

Kenneth Varcoe

Spokane