Church And State Should Remain Separate

I recently attended the international Character Cities Conference in Indianapolis. My experience at the conference was less than desirable.

I was sent as a representative for the mayor of Hayden. I felt honored at the invitation to attend what I thought would be a worthwhile program. As it turns out, I am terribly offended by most of what I was subjected to for three days.

I am a mother of eight children, who range in age from 11 to 21. My background is religion-based. I ran for office so I could make my city a great place for my children to live. I believe in, and teach, character traits every day.

I first realized that I was invited under false pretense when I attended the opening session of the conference. Bill Gothard greeted me and proceeded to introduce the Character Cities Program, which I characterize as a promotion of Bill Gothard’s ministry.

After yet another religion-based dinner session, I, and another elected official from Idaho, met with Gothard. I felt that if this were going to be a religious program, I could not, in good conscience, take it back and present it to my constituents.

Gothard assured us that the whole program was not religion-based but rather stood on its own merits. Over the course of the next few days I found his comments to be untrue.

The conference center had no communication with the outside world, with the exception of four phones in an open hallway.

I certainly can live without radio and television, but I have enormous problems with a speaker in each bedroom that plays marching and religious music at 6 in the morning.

Incidentally, there also was constant music being played at an inaudible level 24 hours a day. I assume that subliminal messages could easily have been coming through the speakers.

During the lunch session on Friday, I chose to go for a run rather than subject myself to further religious battery. I went down the stairway from the 12th floor, where my room was, and attempted to leave via the fire escape door, to find that it was dead-bolted.

Being familiar with fire codes, I was very upset at this flagrant violation. I then attempted to leave by the front door, only to find that I had to get the attention of the front desk attendant to be buzzed out.

The last day of the conference I attended a breakfast meeting. I had grown weary of the whole scene by then, but the only alternative for food was to once again ask permission to leave.

The theme of this session was “How to Have Harmony in Your Marriage.” We were instructed to be obedient and submissive to our husbands, as well as being asked to accept Jesus into our lives.

I do not believe government should be affiliated with any religious organization. Bill Gothard’s ministry certainly is the fiber and push behind the Character Cities Association.

My belief is that character traits do not have to be linked with God, or the Bible, as was preached at the conference. They can be taught to our families and community without being joined with religious organizations. For this reason I cannot support the Character Cities Program.

Nancy Taylor is a Hayden City Council member.