To the editor:

Recently, Christian right-wing political factions considering their tenets to be uniquely moral have begun mobilizing to legislate these beliefs as mandatory for everyone. Now, more than ever, we must remember that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Many U.S. citizens, both straight and gay, are not Christians — some, in fact, practice no religion at all — yet are equally good, responsible and patriotic people, every bit as loving toward their families and respectful of their neighbors, just as proficient in mentoring and generous in donating, and apparently far more accepting of diversity than those who would, through government action, force on the entire population their singular readings of one faith. One religion alone has never represented all Americans, nor should it now.

In this county, separation of church and state means that we may believe our god is ultimately the highest power, and we may preach this belief inside our homes and tax-exempt churches, but outside these realms, we must also support the rights of our fellow taxpaying citizens by not interfering with their beliefs.

The First Amendment helps form the laws under which our country is governed and by which we must abide if we choose to live here. Each of us must remain legally free to live, without physically threatening or harming others, as is best for us as individuals while respectfully allowing everyone else to do the same — even those with whom we don’t agree.

Sue Strickland,

Lawrence