Government can't proscribe religion

To the editor:

An objective examination of American history demonstrates that when bashing has been done, it has been done by Christians who used Bible beliefs to create and then justify slavery laws, laws which disenfranchised women, Sunday Blue Laws and liquor laws, sodomy laws, anti-interracial and same-sex marriage laws, prayer in public school laws and the "under God" change in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Seven amendments were added to the U.S. Constitution to stop governments from using religion to marginalize and punish certain classes of people. Local governments repealed laws that subjected everyone to specific Christian beliefs. In contrast, no laws have repressed or disenfranchised Christians from being Christians. The Christian-crew should read the First Amendment, which guarantees that individuals may practice whatever religion they desire -- including no religion, but the government is prohibited from proscribing or promoting any religious belief.

JOHN C. BIERK

Cape Girardeau