Editorial was biased
Your reporter did a good job on your front-page article on the Liquor
Advisory Board. However, whoever wrote the editorial for that day has clearly fallen hard on their biases!
Where in the world did church and state concerns come from? I chaired that meeting and was the sole vote against changing the hours for alcohol. I did not use "religious" reasons but simply cited the well-known fact that alcohol consumption is socially dangerous, which is why it is regulated by the state. The change would set Carbondale as the alcohol leader in Southern Illinois as far as hours of availability are concerned. With all the problems we have in this town with alcohol misuse, why would we want to be the leader in enhancing alcohol usage?
Now, let me see if I get this straight. If I am known to attend church, then I am denied any participation in civic governance or representation of my views as a citizen? If I think alcohol consumption is a social problem, then I must be viewed as "religious"! Would you believe there are actually atheists who do not drink and think that alcohol is a social problem?
Although I was the one with the vote, you apparently used John Cutts' personal opinion as a citizen of Carbondale to launch your tirade. Are you truly proud of denouncing his freedom of speech just because you disagree with him?
If you want to see your bias, just change the phrase "separation of church and state" and substitute the phrase "freedom from religion". That is your bias. Freedom from religion is not included in the
Constitution. However, "freedom of religion" is clearly included and is not restricted as to how any citizen can exercise that freedom. That Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, as you cited, was intended to protect freedom of religion for all citizens (including those whose religion is atheism) not to provide freedom from religion. Please brush off your biases and treat everyone more fairly.
Lawrence Juhlin
Carbondale resident
Copyright 2009 - Daily Egyptian
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