Letter to the Editor

In God some trust

I'm sure the Sheriff of Cape Girardeau County is a smart man. Dummies seldom get elected to high office. Therefore, he knows there are a few agnostics who live in the county, also a few Buddhists, probably some Hindus, a few atheists, definitely several Muslims, etc. So why would he implement something that could be divisive? Certainly the majority of Cape County residents are Christians and their wishes and rights must be respected. But did they ask for this message on patrol cars? I suspect a lot of them would rather the Sheriff concentrate on law enforcement and leave religion alone. We have many outstanding religious organizations and leaders who are very capable of attending to our religious needs without help from government officials. Government officials should represent all of us.

Religion may be the most divisive difference among us, more divisive than race, gender, age, etc. -- maybe because religion is the only one we have a choice on. Therefore, we must be tolerant and respectful of each others' religious differences. For now, those of us who would rather keep religion out of government will just have to tolerate the stickers on the sheriff's cars, but I wish the sheriff had been more respectful. Some may be happy with his decision but I think he misused his authority and pandered to the majority.

Gary L. Gaines, Cape Girardeau