I am not nearly as disturbed by the events you report — “Why believe in God” ads and the suit in South Carolina concerning ads saying, “I believe in God” — as I am by the apparent belief of many that their God either needs or desires our governments to dabble in religion.
This is most surprising for at least two reasons: First, in this country the Constitution clearly forbids the governments from either establishing a religion or restricting the free exercise of religion; second, religious institutions' attendance, donations and acknowledgement of a higher power are higher in this country than any other.
Why do these conditions exist in America? The reason must lie in that freedom in America and the competition that exists between the many religious bodies that have no government support. In those countries with established religions and government support the areas mentioned above lag far behind the numbers in America.
So why then do these “religious” people demand that America become like those countries now behind us? Is it that they want a weaker, less vibrant religion in America? Is it that they have forgotten the roots from which we sprang, the words, sermons and actions of our forefathers? Have they forgotten the wars, the persecutions, the abuses and crimes done in the name of a state supported religion? Do they want an America with religious strife and chaos?
History clearly shows that in those countries, unlike America, either the state controls the church or the church controls the state. The results of this are the “Bible Commonwealths” of our own New England. There Baptists were taxed to build and support Congregational churches and pay their preachers, or were jailed for refusing to do so. Quakers were hanged for preaching their doctrines. In Virginia, over 50 Baptists, preachers and laymen, were whipped, jailed, fined or otherwise punished by a “state supported church.”
As for me, I'll choose a free church in a free state, and courts, judges and juries working to keep it so.
Edwin C. King, Ormond Beach, Fla.