Separation of church and state

Proposition 8, which would deny same-sex couples the right to marry, which is accorded to male-female relationships (50 percent of which fail, by the way) is an attempt to deny rights. The founders of this great nation clearly wrote into the Constitution that religion and politics were incompatible.

Would the supporters of Prop. 8 wish to deny the right of a man to marry a woman just because it was voted in? Of course not. Is the denial of the rights to one segment of the population just because a religion finds them distasteful the American way?

The attempt of churches to influence the passage of Proposition 8 violates not only this historic separation, but is also in violation of the IRS codes that give churches a tax-exempt status. A church may voice its views, but urging the passage of legislation or the election of a certain person or party, such as may be seen on the marquee of a certain church on Henderson Avenue west of Newcomb Street which reads “VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8”, is in clear violation of the law, and their tax-exempt status may be in jeopardy.

Let’s give everyone in this country the right to validate their relationships without the imposition of religious values or tests. Keep church and state separate. I urge a “NO” vote on Prop. 8.
Bill Warner
Porterville