To the Editor:
Regarding the Nov. 13 letter “Keep Religious Messaging out of Halloween,” it was stated by the writer “Distributing religious literature on Halloween to children is strange and intrusive, Distributing religious literature on Halloween diminishes the essence of the holidays and violates such foundational American ideals as religious freedom and diversity.
It is my opinion that this statement violates the foundational American ideals of religious freedom and diversity. Diversity would include respect for religion or any other world views. Yes, America was founded on religious freedom, and as stated in the letter “including acknowledging plurality of faiths IN PUBLIC (emphasis mined).
The First Amendment of the Constitution (the first in the Bill of Rights) states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . .” Implied by that is the concept that individuals have the right to express themselves in public.
I do not see how religious literature, or any other printed material by any other group, should be considered “shoving their lifestyle down our throats in society (again from the letter)” by anyone. Some may feel that way, either “shoving” or receiving, but that doesn’t make it right. It falls under the concept of freedom of expression.
All printed material falls under freedom of expression. In free society people are required to think for themselves and make personal choices based on their beliefs and standards. Actually, forbidding the placement of religious literature in bags of Halloween candy is a form of censorship – and a law that would prohibit the free exercise of religion, which in the evangelical Christian faith, includes sharing the good news of that religion.
I think simply put, if you don’t approve of the literature – discard it. I do.
Bob Stahler, Goshen
