By Julia Reeves Santa Monica
With regard to Alex Epstein's guest commentary (SMDP, March 5, page 5), I think that President Bush is definitely stepping over the line with his "new government establishment designed to help propagate religion" and that it is definitely a "violation of a Constitution that says that the government 'shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.'" I strongly believe in separation of church and state and that no president should use "his presidency to promote religion."
It would seem clear that the fundamental "Christian" (Bush's choice of religious affiliation), thing to do would be to offer charitable services free and devoid of any religious expectations or requirement. I believe, however, that from the top down, those charitable religious groups helping the poor and needy have an agenda — which is to propagate the faith and enlist devotees. I find one of the most arrogant statements anyone can make is "God loves you." How in the world would anyone presume to speak for any "God?" It is just rhetoric aimed at recruiting converts to the faith. Get 'em when they are down and out, and most vulnerable, and pour on the faith rhetoric, is what it seems to me.
Religion, or the lack thereof, is a private matter between each individual and his/her own conscience and belief systems, and never should it be manipulated or controlled by the government. The word "theocracy" springs to mind, which is a frightening prospect to me.
One matter which I find to be completely hypocritical is President Bush's stand on abortion and stem cell research, while on the other hand he does not seem to mind bringing those embryos into life, only to send them off to war later in life to be killed or dismembered. Many of the veterans of war are psychologically scarred from their experiences, and many join the population of the homeless. Where is the morality in that?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.