Editor:

To forbid speaking of God protects secular-progressives' consciences. The First Amendment protects everyone's rights, including the majority. Theologian Charles Hodge wrote: "In the process of time thousands have come among us, who are neither Protestants nor Christians … All are allowed to worship as they please, or not worship … The infidel demands that the government should be conducted on the principle that Christianity is false. The atheist demands that it should be conducted on the assumption that there is no God … it cannot possibly be done."

A theocracy is not what we want. We have our freedom because people of Judeo-Christian heritage fought for freedom for all. We want to honor and teach that heritage.

Referring to power to the general government, James Madison wrote: "All power in human hands is liable to be abused." Those who now use that power attempt to further their beliefs in society, schools and courts, e.g., removing "under God" from the pledge. The idea of a nation under God goes back years before Washington's presidential Thanksgiving proclamation: " … it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God." Colonial America's rallying cry was "No King, But Jesus." It's a miracle that the colonials won against the mightiest empire.

Benjamin Franklin believed that: "God Governs in the affairs of men … I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel" (Constitutional Convention). They believed, that without God, their government would fail, which has occurred in similar governments since, e.g., French Revolution.

To love one's neighbor as oneself and respect just laws is both social and religious, e.g., Ten Commandments. Despite what SPs believe, faith in God and the government's efforts to remedy social problems do not conflict.

Regarding accusations from SPs, I took information not from Barton, but from Todd DuBord, a former atheist, whose own research (found on Internet) includes a pictured document at www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52895. I check Internet sites and books that indicate references to original quotations; anyone is free to call for them.

DORIS SOULE, Wheatland