To the editor:

Recently, we seem to be seeing our nation being divided into camps labeled “conservative” and “liberal.” Supposedly, conservatives are against abortion and the teaching of evolution while supporting capital punishment and the war in Iraq. The position of liberals would be the reverse.

What concerns me is the assumption on the part of many people that if one is conservative or liberal regarding one of these issues, one is conservative or liberal in regard to all. A recent remark in a letter to the editor, referring to “pro-abortion evolutionists,” is a prime example.

The Catholic Church is certainly against abortion, but the late Pope John Paul II stated that evolution is “solidly based on facts.”

I am especially proud of my Catholic Church’s consistent ethic of life. Yes, we are against abortion but also against the death penalty. And John Paul begged President Bush not to attack Iraq.

So please, don’t throw us all into one basket labeled “conservative.”

Dianne Hofmann,

Lawrence