Readers React: Religion at work

To the editor: Would the Texas attorney general condone county clerks of one religion refusing to issue building permits to construct houses of worship for another religion? (“Vows against gay marriage,” June 30) Could a religiously pacifist clerk in Texas refuse to issue concealed-carry handgun permits?

Could a religiously vegetarian clerk refuse to issue food service permits to a steakhouse?

What if a clerk believes that God disapproves of handouts: Would an applicant for welfare automatically be turned away?

Does the Texas attorney general want a citizen’s ability to receive government services to be dependent on the religious views — whatever they might be — of the clerk who happens to be behind the window?

That’s a good reason to live in California.

Ira Bibbero, Los Angeles
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To the editor: My dad was a poli-sci professor, and for one of his classes he often used a visual aid during discussions of the differences between government and business. The Texas attorney general and the employees who can’t tell the difference between their religion and their government need the same visual aid. It’s the sign we’ve all seen at a local store, and is implied in all religions; it’s also the one you can’t hang in a government office: “We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone.”

Kelley Willis, Venice

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To the editor: I am indebted to Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton for enlightening me on the impenetrable “logic” equating gay marriage with an assault on religious liberties.

Using this same logic, would it not be a violation of an atheist lesbian justice of the peace’s religious rights to wed, pursuant to her prescribed job duties, two heterosexuals who made known in advance their intention, at the end

of the ceremony, to proclaim, “God bless this union”?

Les Herold, San Bernardino

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To the editor: Today I opened my credit card bill and noticed the 18.4% interest rate. Thinking about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple for, among other things, charging outrageous fees, has caused me to decide to not pay my credit card bill — for religious reasons.

Doug Jones, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Well, Mr. Texas Attorney General, a government employee who cannot do the job because of his or her religion should just quit and go work for Hobby Lobby or any of those other companies still mired in the 12th century.

Any person who works for the government must swear to obey all laws, even the ones they don’t like.

And you, Mr. Attorney General, you also took an oath. If you counsel people to ignore the law of the land, maybe you ought to quit too.
Robert G. Brewer, Sherman Oaks