To the editor:

It is important for those of us who stand with the vast majority of people of faith in strong opposition to the dangerous and growing influence of people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell to speak out.

Concerned people of faith continue to watch with increasing concern as the Christian Coalition and the religious right groups manipulate religion to their intolerance and their bigoted political agenda.

It is time for more of us of faith to stand and declare that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell do not represent the majority of people of faith in this great nation. It is not their “Christian” religion that has made this nation great.

Religion is not a tool to push personal political beliefs as Robertson and Falwell have done in claiming that 9-11 happened because we insulted God. The blame they place on feminists, pro-choice Americans and other groups these men despise is nothing less than religious bigotry.

I am proud to stand with Walter Cronkite, and other women and men of faith in opposing the intolerant influence of the religious right in our civic life.

Forrest Swall,

Lawrence