Dear editor:

Rather than countering a never-ending stream of (mostly) rightwing fantasies — I’m addressing the ramblings of many professing Christians and others who don’t appear to have an accurate understanding of what the Bible says and what Jesus Christ is about — especially as they relate to America, Americans, humanity, and our Constitution. The founders of our democracy, and indeed our Constitution, did not endorse a — necessarily — Christian document. These men appear to have been followers of Christ and had a belief in God for the most part, but most of them were also wealthy slave owners. I do believe, however, that their thinking was influenced by God.      

Even though the Declaration of Independence does make reference to “their Creator” and “divine provenance” in their statement: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, by their Creator, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these rights Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” these references are not necessarily from God, or the Bible. Although they were influenced by men who were believers in God and the Bible. “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred honor.” But not to any religion. Furthermore, this declaration is not part of our Constitution, which was conceived and adopted 11 years later.

I submit that one’s beliefs are on to one’s own self/conscience. That he/she may share those beliefs with others, and even lead them to follow, but you can’t force your beliefs on them. It would be both illegal and immoral to obstruct a person’s right to citizenship, habeas corpus, or other human rights on the grounds of one’s personal beliefs, especially as they relate to religion. I’m not suggesting that Christians can’t be, or are less likely to be, good, solid patriotic, American citizens. But so can Jews, Palestinians, Muslims, (immigrants or descendants of), Italians, Latinos, whites, blacks, women, gays or transgenders, and so forth. “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Sates of America.” NO EXCEPTIONS; it’s just “We the People.”

We are free to believe, trust, love, even hate whomever and whatever we choose — provided we are not trespassing on other’s rights or well-being, and the legally adopted laws (local, state and federal) within the guidelines of the Constitution. I believe it’s just fine for me or you to choose heaven or hell, scientific ideas/conclusion, Democrat, Republican, Independent, or none of the above. Generally, the specific laws are to be obeyed or pay the penalty. However there are situations where these rules should be broken — when they defy the constraints of the Constitution. 

The beliefs and rules of most established religions, governments and traditions are usually great guidelines for all people, “don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t kill, don’t covet, honor your parents and your God.” My point is that the Constitution is for all humans in the U.S., Americans everywhere, and hopefully serves as a guiding light for folks around the world.

Words such as God, Christian, Jesus Christ, Protestant, Catholic, Jew, Muslim, saints and woke — except as the past tense of “awake” — do not appear in the Constitution. Nor does it say anything about limiting one another’s rights “as written in God’s law.” I believe there are benefits to loving and obeying God’s laws, but those “laws” are not part of the Constitution, nor are they a requirement for citizenship, or “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Just one more thing. I urge my fellow citizens to be wary of movements and organizations such as “Christian Nationalism,” “Turning Point USA,” the “Faith and Freedom Coalition,” and the “Heritage Foundation.”

Sincerely, 

Bob Goodyear     

Cody