Does Calvary Chapel Survey Help Members or Step Over the Line?

I was intrigued by the survey that is being sent by Calvary Chapel in Santa Ana to local political candidates, (“Church in O.C. Polls Candidates on Moral Issues,” Sept. 29) but I have a question. Has anyone ever established a cause and effect relationship between homosexuality, condoms, abortion, sex education, etc. and the real problems affecting society?

The issues in the survey seem to be focused a bit too much below the neck. Why don’t the esteemed pastors of Calvary require our candidates to voice their views on how they will support the value of work, racial tolerance, respect for the law and the family, support for education, and other more relevant civic values?

DAVID HOWE

Irvine

* Will these people never learn that this country and its Constitution were founded with separation of church and state? The questionnaires to candidates for city and county government and school board are blatant attempts to evoke division and controversy.

This cult has every right to its personal beliefs (and we subsidize their existence), but it has no business intimidating those people running for election.

Religious business is supposedly the “saving of souls” and interference in the political process is not part of it.

JIM REDDON

Laguna Beach

* I really do not understand what all the concern is about a church making a questionnaire to educate its congregation. The concern cited was based solely on the contemporary idea of separation of church and state (which is deserving of some serious scrutiny). There was no other reason against it stated, and this new church phobia has me very concerned. The arguments for doing a questionnaire such as this one are reasonable, logical and, I believe, founded on a legitimate need. On the other hand, the reasons against it are based on a phobic kind of fear that is not founded on any historical precedence or even logic.

For instance, a case cannot be made, in the history of the United States, that Christians have ever tried to force anybody to do anything.

The truth is, Christians are concerned, just like everybody else, about the frightening problems that we have to deal with today. They do not want to make anybody live their way. They want to protect religious freedoms and stem the tide of moral disintegration that is tearing people apart. That is not some diabolical, evil intent that should be assigned a watchdog.

However, I believe we should all be concerned about those who would separate politics from the public. They should be watched closely by anyone who cares to take the time.

MONICA STAPLETON

Santa Ana

* I have a suggestion for simplifying the controversial survey that Calvary Chapel is distributing to candidates for public office:

1. Are you a right-wing Christian?

Yes( ) No( ).

P.A. WILLOCKS

San Clemente

* I do hope that the results from Calvary Chapel’s questionnaire for local candidates also are disseminated outside their congregation:

* This would serve as notice to the IRS that the Calvary Chapel is actually a PAC and no longer eligible for that tax-exempt church status;

* Those of us opposed to a local government in the form of a theocracy would be notified of which candidates to avoid this November.

Religion and the political process must remain separate. One need not look any further than the Vista school district (in San Diego County) to understand why.

ERIK STALEY

Lake Forest

* The recent political activity by Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa is not the first time that this church has engaged in the business of politics and affecting public opinion.

Last spring, the church was quoted by a parent at an Orange Unified School District board meeting in what turned out to be a successful attempt to derail the CLAS test in this district. The church was dispersing false information about the CLAS test and doing its best to whip up public opinion against it.

It worked: Gov. Wilson just vetoed any extension of the project.

SUSAN GUILFORD

Orange

* It looks like Calvary Chapel has been put on the witness stand with the glaring accusation that they have distributed questionnaires to candidates seeking their view on controversial religious and moral issues.

Oh, how terrible! Wouldn’t it be horrible to find out what candidates stand for? And then to actually vote for those who share your same values? Christians, go back into your closets. Stay out of politics!

This should be a wake-up call! Hopefully, many more churches across this nation will become involved in the moral/political issues of our day.

GERI ANN BOYD

Santa Ana