Letters: Twisting the relationship of church and state

ISSUE | CHURCH & STATE

Twisted meaning

It is disturbing to see a distortion of the words of President Thomas Jefferson ("County seal not the place for a cross," Tuesday).

In 1801, Jefferson was asked to clarify whether government would interfere with a Connecticut church. As smart as Jefferson was, he used an unfortunate choice of words: "a wall of separation between Church and State." He meant to mollify the church's concerns by explaining that the "wall" would prevent any government interference with their faith.

Much later, the newly enlightened left jumped on Jefferson's words as meaning there could never be any faith-based connection to the government. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jefferson allowed churches to use government buildings as meeting places. Abraham Lincoln demonstrated his faith in speeches, and Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation over the radio in prayer.

The First Amendment simply prohibits the establishment of a state church and ensures the freedom to worship. It is amazing and sad to see how we have morphed from a country that once had leaders who proudly proclaimed their faith to a show of faith being frowned upon. Faith and government can have no association because of how we misinterpret our leaders of the past.

|Dan Landis, Broomall, dllbroomall@gmail.com