Don’t impose religious views

Here we go again. Once more we have the religious right sanctimoniously raising up on their hind legs to try to force their particular ideals into every citizen’s life. This time through Initiative 250 (excluding unmarried partners of state employees from receiving insurance benefits). Another initiative sponsor, Tim Eyman, can’t get it through his head that we have a representative republic form of government, and the religious right refuses to believe that there is a reason for the separation of church and state.

I was raised as a Christian but I have not referred to myself as such for many years because I cannot follow a religious concept so filled with bigots and hypocrites. There is a simple solution to this problem of insurance coverage for same sex partners: allow same sex couples to be married. But the political righteous Christians are not after solutions, they want to punish those who do not fit their severe definition of Christianity. Since, by their own definition, we are all creatures of God, nothing says you have to be heterosexual to love God or have God love you. But there appears to be many in the Christian leadership who have no problem preaching hatred to the choir because they have found many who love the message, and it fills the collection plate.

What they still don’t get is that the congregation is much bigger than the choir, which is why the abortion and hate laws they continue to propose aren’t passed by the electorate. From my readings of their works the two men I most respect in the founding of this country, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, would be repulsed by this vindictive initiative. As Jefferson wrote, “When there is a union of church and state, tyranny will follow because those who do not believe in the state sponsored church will be subjected to tyranny and oppression.” He believed, appropriately, that religion should never be forced on the people. The originators of Initiative 250 obviously do not.

Snohomish

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, April 25

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

FILE - This Feb. 6, 2015, file photo, shows a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. Washington state lawmakers voted Tuesday, April 23, 2019 to remove parents' ability to claim a personal or philosophical exemption from vaccinating their children for measles, although medical and religious exemptions will remain. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
Editorial: Commonsense best shot at avoiding measles epidemic

Without vaccination, misinformation, hesitancy and disease could combine for a deadly epidemic.

The Buzz: This week, the makeup tips of political powerbrokers

Who would have guessed that Kitara Revanche and Pete Hegseth used the same brand of concealer?

Schwab: Who saw this coming? said no one but Senate Republicans

Take your pick of agency heads; for those who advise and consent, there was no sign of trouble ahead.

LifeWise program is taking time from student’s studies

As a former educator fpr the Everett Public Schools, I was alarmed… Continue reading

Courts must push for Abrego Garcia’s return to U.S.

The role of government is not to cancel or break things but… Continue reading

Comment: Ukraine holds no cards because Trump dealt them away

The U.S., more interested in a reset with Russia, is calling Ukraine to take a deal designed to fail.

Local artist Gabrielle Abbott with her mural "Grateful Steward" at South Lynnwood Park on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Earth Day calls for trust in act of planting trees

Even amid others’ actions to claw back past work and progress, there’s hope to fight climate change.

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Trump order, SAVE Act do not serve voters

Trump’s and Congress’ meddling in election law will disenfranchise voters and complicate elections.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, April 24

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Why should there be concern over LifeWise Bible study?

Wow. Front page, massive headline, two days before Resurrection Sunday, and The… Continue reading

Religion, schools should be kept separate

Thank you for your coverage of LifeWise Academy at Emerson Elementary (“Everett… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.