American humanism
Douglas Benn’s recent letter (“Religion being buried,” Sept. 11) ignores: 1) the Constitution and its First Amendment regarding “… no law respecting an establishment of religion, …”; 2) repeated decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and 3) what humanism is.
Our Constitution and High Court respectively established and repeatedly reinforce the separation of church and state. Although many of our country’s founders were religious, they were of many religious beliefs. They compromised in the formation of our government and country by agreeing that religion had no place in government. They only had to look across the Atlantic at centuries of dysfunction to come to that conclusion. A unique government and a diversity of religions resulted, including the choice to not believe.
Humanism, as briefly defined by the American Humanist Association “… is a progressive life stance that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”
Benn’s final statement of repenting and returning to Christianity has nothing to do with America’s greatness. It has been arguably great for a long time, starting its decline in January 2017. Yes … let’s make America great again, starting with a turn-around election.
Thomas G. Mosher
Spokane