U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Puts Limits on Freedom of Religion
I was both surprised and pleased to read your editorial. Surprised because this Supreme Court decision only affects a very small number of people who use peyote in their practice of religion and pleased with your recognition of what the First Amendment really means.
In their book, “Dreamers with Power,” Stanford University anthropologists George and Louise Spindler tell of the Menominee Indians use of peyote in religious pursuits (published by Waveland Press, 1971). It is obviously not part of our nation’s monster drug problem; peyote, for these people, is a road to God.
Will the court’s next move be the outlaw Communion wine because alcohol is a potentially dangerous drug? I don’t see any difference in principle. When anyone’s religion is suppressed, all religious practices are a little less secure.
RICHARD WAYNE MARTIN
Hollywood
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