Weigel on Secularism
In response to “A Prayer for Clinton’s Redemption,” Commentary, Sept. 10:
In George Weigel’s conservative way of looking at things, all Bill Clinton has to do is profess his faith openly and redemption is at hand. What Weigel, Clinton and others of their persuasion need to realize is that as far as public policy and public debate are concerned, it is not possible to be “too secular.” As long as religious folks keep their beliefs and mythologies restricted to their churches, mosques, synagogues and homes, we who believe in science and rationality over metaphysics and blind faith support their right to believe anything they choose.
We skeptics and free thinkers, however, wish to point out that if one compares the wars and “ethnic cleansings” of the past and present, those secularly motivated are minuscule compared to the mayhem that has been perpetrated in the name of religion. That is why religion is failing to get respect from those that have some historical perspective and a love for factual data. There is no question that many good things have been done in the name of religion. There is also no question that religion can be hazardous to your health! Please, Mr. Clinton, we do not need another President knuckling down to the fundamentalists, such as Weigel, who are always there to complain when the rest of us are not as “holy” and self-righteous as they are.
L. J. REGALADO
Huntington Beach
* I take direct and pointed exception to Weigel’s concept of tolerance. If I am supposed to tolerate the anti-choice tactics of intimidation and murder as “the robust engagement” of his “most deeply held convictions,” then I do indeed want “freedom from religion.”
I want the separation of church and state that is promised in the words of the First Amendment to the Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” and that was envisioned by the writers of that document. Freedom from religion is freedom of religion and freedom of religion is freedom from religion.
RICHARD FRIEND
Palm Desert