The several letters addressing freedom of religion vs. freedom from religion hark back to what our forefathers (supposedly) intended. As best I can tell, they intended to eliminate "established" religion from becoming part of government. I think they feared anyone religious belief becoming demagogic. For the most part, they were intellectual elitists who looked down on popular democracy. (This eventuality awaited the arrival of Andrew Jackson and company.)

Some were Christians, some were deists, and some were agnostics. They set the tone of government with our Constitution, especially with the Bill of Rights, without which our government would have near absolute sway over individual citizens. In the First Amendment, people gained the guarantee to practice whatever religion they want or none at all. So the government of this country was established on a complimentary principle.

Gary Whitesell

213 W. 21st